There have been many trends in substance abuse over the past century or so in America as well as other countries. One of the latest, and equally dangerous, problems is the availability and use of various types of synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs are often appealing, especially to young people, because they can be purchased over the internet or sometimes even in convenience stores. However, despite the bright colors and deceptive packaging, these chemicals are anything but safe.
Side effects from synthetic drugs can range anywhere from depression and paranoia to suicidal tendencies and violent rages. There has also been an increasing amount of people who have overdosed or fallen into a coma after using these drugs. One of the main reasons for the higher level of danger associated with them is that they are made with untested chemicals and are not regulated by any type of governing body. Essentially, anyone with some chemical knowledge can manufacture and sell these substances anywhere in the world.
The continued rise in popularity of synthetic drugs is becoming much more of a global problem. The growing numbers of users has some speculating that these chemicals will even replace cocaine as the most abused drug in Latin America.
“The cocaine market is going to be reduced over the next two decades…but the world will have a very dangerous synthetic drug market that is going to need to be regulated,” reported Alberto Otarola, Peru’s anti-drug czar.
The United States government and several South American governments are working hard to reduce the amount of synthetic drugs that are being sold to people throughout the world. They are also heavily manufactured in and distributed from Asian countries. However, as long as the demand is there, it is likely that the operations will find a way to keep supply up. This brings us back to showing how important demand reduction tactics really are in reducing the drug problem, whether in Arizona, across the U.S., or worldwide.
