Johnny Patout, CEO of New Beginnings Adolescent Recovery Center, shares important facts about the increasingly popular drug, synthetic marijuana.
Synthetic marijuana use can cause seizures, hallucinations, convulsions, negative psychological consequences, nausea, vomiting, confusion and agitation.
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) September 16, 2014
With the variety of drugs passing through streets and schools today, it is difficult to know the details on each one. However, it is important that parents are aware of the potential substances falling into their teen’s hands.
Synthetic marijuana is considered second in popularity to marijuana itself among high school students. With varied, misleading and potentially unreliable information about synthetic marijuana present online and elsewhere, it can be difficult for parents to separate the truth from the myths. Johnny Patout, CEO of New Beginnings Adolescent Recovery Center, the leading teen drug rehabilitation program in the Southwest and one recognized nationwide, has compiled the top four facts parents should know about this drug to keep their kids safe.
1. Synthetic marijuana is known by many different names. “Teens don’t always use the same name when identifying a drug,” said Patout. “Noting its pseudonyms is important for identifying synthetic marijuana. This mixture of herbs and chemicals can be called Spice, K2, Dank, Moon Rocks, Bliss, Blaze, G-Force, Black Mamba, Puff, Skunk and Yucatan Fire. Some shops label it as incense, tobacco or potpourri and mark ‘not for human consumption’ in a futile attempt to avoid the law.”
2. Synthetic marijuana is a dangerous drug with harmful side effects. “This ‘fake’ drug has many very real side effects,” said Patout. “Depending on the mix of chemicals, it can actually be more dangerous than real marijuana. Harmful side effects emerge because the chemicals used are oftentimes unidentified. Synthetic marijuana use can cause seizures, hallucinations, convulsions, negative psychological consequences, nausea, vomiting, confusion and agitation. It can also raise blood pressure and reduce the volume of blood reaching the heart, and has been known to cause heart attacks.”
3. Synthetic marijuana is relatively easy to find and purchase. “Although 45 states have now made regulations on synthetic cannabinoids or synthetic drugs, they can still be found and purchased online or even at gas stations or head shops,” said Patout. “Head shops are retail outlets that specialize in tobacco paraphernalia and many law enforcement officials have focused their regulation efforts on the sale of synthetic marijuana specifically at these retail locations. Head shops and warehouses have been searched, raided and shut down as part of a national initiative to curb distribution of the drug. However, recent reports show that the use of the drug is as prevalent as ever.”
4. Synthetic marijuana may not show up on a drug test. “Since synthetic marijuana is one of the few drugs that does not show up on a conventional drug test, teenagers gravitate towards using it,” said Patout. “Although more advanced screening can detect synthetic marijuana, it is important to pay close attention to a teen’s habits if there is any suspicion of drug use.”
With so much information on synthetic marijuana and other drugs circulating, it is necessary for parents to be equipped with the truth. Proper knowledge and a solid understanding of teenage drug use is vital for obtaining the help a child may need for drug abuse.
For more information on teen drug addiction and recovery or to schedule an interview with Johnny Patout, please contact Stephanie Wick at 972-850-5866 or swick(at)ideagrove(dot)com.
About New Beginnings Adolescent Recovery Center
New Beginnings Adolescent Recovery Center, the leading teen drug rehabilitation program in the Southwest and one recognized nationwide, has been helping teens overcome addiction for more than 30 years. New Beginnings offers a continuum of care for inpatient treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization and outpatient programs, and works with private insurance providers to find the lowest costs for their patients. For more information, visit http://www.newbeginningsteenhelp.com/.
