MARIETTA, Ga. -- Synthetic drugs have gained popularity over the last couple of years due to their difficulty to regulate and other- the- counter availability.
Many law enforcement agencies are seeing a higher incidence of driving while under the influence of synthetic and prescription drugs, as opposed to alcohol.
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Two of the most recognizable drugs being: Bath Salts and Synthetic Marijuana.
Bath Salts are described as a "powder-like" designer drug that has come to be known as "fake cocaine." The most common bath salt compound is mephedrone and MDVP.
Typically, bath salts cause anxious and jittery behavior, lack of appetite, paranoia, hallucinations and insomnia.
Another popular synthetic drug is K2 or Synthetic Marijuana. The chemicals that make up this this drug are very similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
K2 causes dizziness, heart palpitations, paranoia, hallucination and an overall sense of central nervous system (CNS) over stimulation.
The aforementioned drugs have been identified as being very dangerous and if over consumed, they can yield fatal consequences. However, police are seeing these drugs more frequently in DUI cases across metro Atlanta.
For more information on these drugs and abuse prevention visit Drug Abuse online or Stop Your Addiction.