Video: Synthetic Drugs

Video Transcript

This video is illustrated along with the action and background music. The script of the video and description of the action follows.

Bath salts. K2. Spice.

[An illustration of the packaging of Bath salts, K2, and Spice is shown; as information is given on these chemical compounds the illustration shifts to show a chemical chain.]

Have you heard of these synthetic drugs? They are made from chemical compounds, and some people think they are a legal substitute for drugs like marijuana and ecstasy.

[An illustration of a person, a marijuana plant, and colored pills representing ecstasy are shown.]

These drugs are legally sold in stores every day. How? The makers of synthetic drugs find loopholes in the law. They make you think it's safe.

[An illustration of a cash register and purchase exchange is shown. The image changes to a “legal” document that scrolls as the narrator mentions loopholes in the law.]

It's time to separate fact from fiction.

[The images on the screen fade to the words “Fact” and “Fiction.”]

First, synthetic drugs are safe... they are in cool packages and I can buy them in stores or online. Fiction.

[During the next frames, illustrations reference various synthetic drugs and the packaging for them, and fades to text that matches the question "Does eating plant food sound fun to you?"]

Fact is, these drugs are actually labeled "not for human consumption" by the people who make them. They are usually marketed as plant food or herbal incense.

This lets them avoid FDA regulations that help keep us safe.

Does eating plant food sound fun to you?

Second, Spice and K2 are legal alternatives to marijuana. Fiction

[An illustration of a printed law is used as a background to discussion of Congress' efforts to change laws.]

The fact is Congress just added the ingredients that are usually found in “synthetic marijuana” to the Controlled Substances Act.

This makes them illegal to consume.

[An illustration of an individual pouring chemicals into a K2 packet is shown.]

And Spice and K2 are usually spiked with different doses and types of chemicals - meaning you never really know what you are taking.

[An illustration of a jar of bath salts is shown alongside a pile of pills.]

Third, bath sales are just like ecstasy - except safe and legal. Fiction.

[A jar of bath salts is shown in front of a chemical compound illustration. As discussion about the risks of bath salts takes place, the words are shown, stacking on one another as the narration continues.]

Fact is bath salts are made up of chemicals that can be legally bought, but are not for human consumption. They contain dangerous chemicals that can cause:

• Delusions
• Agitation
• Increased heart rate
• Vomiting
• Nosebleeds
• Chest pains
• Strokes
• Paranoia
• Panic attacks
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts
• and Death

[The words “Synthetic drugs are totally safe” are displayed on the screen and fade out to the words “fact or fiction” as the narration concludes.]

So, the next time someone tells you synthetic drugs are totally safe: Do you want to follow fact or fiction?