Parents:
We wanted to take this opportunity to educate you on a new (and legal) drug that students are using as an alternative to marijuana. "Synthetic Pot," also known as "Spice" or "K2" is really nothing more than incense. It can be ordered off of the internet, and because it is primarily an incense, it is legal for distribution. There are dangers that are tied to the use of this substance. Synthetic marijuana has caused agitation (extreme nervousness), a fast heartbeat, increased blood pressure, tremors, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures. Many who have smoked the incense say it is not the mellow high that they expected. In 2010, over 1500 calls to poison control centers have involved bad trips and illness. Many people ended up in hospitals. In addition to the drug effects, smoking incense can cause lung damage.
One recent story prompted this advisory warning. It comes from Anderson, South Carolina of a student who actually died from the use of this drug. http://www.wyff4.com/r/29497549/detail.html
Parents are advised to be aware of what is being ordered from the internet. The presence of incense in your student's possession does not necessarily mean that they are using, but coupled with a decline in grades, iritablity, and change of friends, could mean that there is a chance that this could be an issue. Drug-use/adiction is able to touch students from every walk of life. Troubled teens to teens from stable homes are all susceptable. Please pass this information on to other parents. Together, we can build the support system that all of the students in Oconee County need in order to make the best choices possible.
