Flakka Facts: 3 Things About the New Street Drug

• comments
• 
• 

Flakka, the designer drug that goes by many names, is steadily gaining popularity and infamy in many cities across America.

There has been an emerging drug trend in the United States caused by flakka, a synthetic stimulant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), the drug takes the form of a white or pink pungent-smelling crystal and is similar to other synthetic drugs such as "bath salts." There are a number of ways in which flakka can be taken; i.e. vaporized, snorted, injected or eaten.

Taking the drug can make users experience "excited delirium," which the NIH said can include hallucinations, paranoia and hyperstimulation that can lead to violent reactions and behaviors that can cause self-injury and aggression. Flakka has been tied to cases of suicide and heart attacks as well.

CBS News reports that the drug is scattered in Florida, California, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Texas, with Florida having the most prevalent number of drug deaths in the United States.

Here are three facts about Flakka, the new street drug:

1.) Flakka originated in China and is easily obtainable through the internet

According to Business Insider, flakka is legally produced in China. There are over 150 Chinese companies that sell this drug and obtaining one is as easy as having it shipped at home like any other product bought online. To trick customs agents, the packaging is shipped as common household products such as cleaners or shampoos. In CBS' report, flakka is cheaper than "Molly" at just three to five dollars per hit.

2.) Flakka is poorly controlled and monitored that users don't know what chemicals are involved

Some flakka packets may have meth, heroin or cocaine, according to Paul Knierim, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration via Observer. Flakka is an alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), so it means that flakka with anything other than alpha-PVP is fake.

"[Claiming that] there's heroin in it says to me that somebody selling the substance is grabbing on to a marketing term. They're putting together whatever they have and just trying to sell something and turn a profit," said Stefanie Jones, nightlife community engagement manager for the Drug Policy Alliance.

She added; "That's another thing that people who use drugs, especially in vulnerable communities have to deal with. They don't have access to knowing what exactly they're buying. Somebody maybe saw a story, and they're like, 'Oh, flakka, it makes you crazy.' In certain circles, that's appealing to people. You might have somebody with a substance that could be anything and they're now going to call it flakka."

3.) Flakka was recently sold to look like candy

According to a report by Tech Times, the street drug flakka is being packaged to be mixed with candy. In one instance, in a drug bust in South Florida, the synthetic "$5 insanity" drug was found in a bag of gummy bears where it was crushed up and rolled to be mixed with the candy.