Last week, the Drug Enforcement Agency arrested 90 people in 31 states and seized millions of packets of powder with names like “Spice” and “Ivory Wave.” Some even had labels reading, “Unfit for Human Consumption.” What were they? Synthetic chemicals that mimic marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. But that’s not all they do. Poison centers around the country report violent reactions that last for weeks from drugs that have never been medically tested. Picked up along with the synthetic chemicals was 36 million dollars in cash.
Synthetic Drugs from Bath Salts to Spice
Credits
Guests:
- Jeffrey Scott - Spokesperson for the DEA
- Natasha Vargas-Cooper - Freelance Reporter - @natashavc
- Cindy Schaider - Executive Director of the Casa Grande Alliance
- Maia Szalavitz - neuroscience journalist - @maiasz