Fake Cocaine: The New Synthetic Drug

 There has been a lot of talk about the creation of synthetic marijuana (K2) being sold in head shops across the United States.  Now a new synthetic drug has been created causing a high similar to cocaine.  Synthetic cocaine, often called fake cocaine is being sold as “bath salts” throughout the world.  Law enforcement and healthcare officials in Europe, Australia, and now the United States have increased reports of users snorting a white powder substance know as bath salts.  It is most commonly being used by teenagers and young adults.  These bath salts can be found in gas stations, convenience stores, and head shops in most states.  This specially-made white powder is sold in half-gram bottles for about 25 to 30 dollars.  They are also known as party salts and party powders and come in a variety of different brand names.  Most packages are labeled “not for consumption” or “for novelty use only” however that has not stopped individuals from snorting or ingesting this product. 

 Methylenedioxyprovalerone (MDPV)

Methylenedioxyprovalerone is a psychoactive drug that produces a cocaine-like high.  It stimulates the central nervous system similar to Ritalin but is said to be four times more potent.  The FDA has not approved MDPV for any type of medical use and this drug is currently not detectable by drug tests. 

 Users most commonly snort MDPV.  It can be ingested and injected but when mixed with other solution it loses its potency. 

 Side Effects

Side effects of MDPV are limited to health official reports because no scientific reports have studied proper dosages of MDPV or the effects it has on humans.  Health official reports and users of the drug report the following effects…

• Empathy
• Stimulation or alertness
• Euphoria
• An awareness of senses
• Anxiety
• Extreme agitation
• Hallucinations
• Death

According to the DEA’s Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section high dose users of MDPV have reported cravings showing signs of dependence or addiction.  The DEA also reported that MDPV in high doses have been known to cause…

• Rapid heartbeat
• Increase blood pressure
• Vasoconstriction; narrowing (constriction) of blood vessels
• Sweating
• Prolonged panic attacks
• Sleep deprivation induced psychosis

Europe has seen the circulation of MDPV since 2007.  Heath officials there report users are being treated in mental institutions and are “losing touch with reality”.  

 Banning MDPV

Britain banned MDPV in April 2010.  Several people had ingested the drug and died prompting the ban.   

Louisiana was the first state to add MDPV to the state’s Controlled Dangerous Substance Act making it an illegal narcotic under state law.    

North Dakota’s Board of Pharmacy has banned MDPV and all chemicals related to it.

Kentucky has put forward legislation to ban MDPV. 

The DEA is currently studying MDPV but it has no current plans to ban the drug.  However, the DEA stated that “MDPV is an analogue of a drug that is on schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act” (CSA).  Therefore, “law enforcement cases involving MDPV can be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act of the CSA”.    

Sources:

About.com Alcoholism. What is Fake Cocaine? (2011, Jan 26). Retrieved from http://alcoholism.about.com

Click Orlando. Synthetic Cocaine Sold As ‘Bath Salts’. (2011, Jan 17). Retrieved from http://www.clickorlando.com

Hendricks, B., The Herald Dispatch. Synthetic Coke Sold As Bath Salts. (2010, Nov 24). Retrieved from http://www.herald-dispatch.com

Join Together. Specialty ‘Bath Salts’ Linked to Hospitalizations, Suicides. (2011, Jan 24). Retrieved from http://www.jointogether.org

 Yahoo! News. Bath Salts: For Bathing or the Latest High?  Willingway Hospital Warns Legally-Purchased Product Can Be Fake Cocaine. (2011, Jan 17). Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com

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