IOWA’S EMERGING DRUG TRENDS2012 Region VII – VPPPA Conference

Meth Labs, Synthetics & Rx

Yearly Meth Lab Incident Response Totals

Adult Meth Treatment Admissions (IDPH)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Hydrogen Peroxide

Psuedophedrine (contained in certain types of cold and sinus medication)

Lithium Metal (contained in certain types of batteries)

Sodium Hydroxide (lye and some drain openers)

Ammonium nitrate (used in fertilizer or some instant cold packs)

32 oz sports drink or two-liter pop bottle (used as the ‘pot’)

Funnel

Camping fuel or ether in starting fluids

Combined, ordinary products are dangerous when used to make meth

EFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE

Immediate Effects• Insomnia• Decreased Appetite• Irritability/Aggression• Anxiety• Nervousness• Convulsions• Heart Attack

Chronic/Long Term Effects• Paranoia• Hallucinations• Repetitive Behavior

(compulsively cleaning or grooming)

• Delusions of parasites or insects crawling under their skin (causes obsessive scratching)

• Violent Behavior

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic Cannabinoid Signs & Symptoms

• Nausea / Vomiting

• Drowsiness• “Shakiness" • Palpitations• Headache• Suicidal

Tendencies

• Dizziness• Panic /

Hallucinations• Agitation/

Hypertension• Tachycardia• Paranoia• Anxiety

Synthetic Cathinones

Natural Cathinone?

• Schedule I controlled substance• Found naturally in Khat

Synthetic Cathinones Signs & Symptoms

Physical Effects• Tachycardia• Elevated Blood Pressure• Sleeplessness• Loss of Appetite• Agitation• Nausea

Psychological Effects• Extreme Paranoia• Delusions / Hallucinations• Suicidal Tendencies• Extreme Agitation or

Anxiety, Aggression and Violence

010203040

Aug

-10

Oct

-10

Dec

-10

Feb

-11

Apr-

11

Jun

-11

Aug

-11

Oct

-11

Dec

-11

K2

Bath Salts

TOTAL

Exposure to K2 or Bath Salts to Calls from Iowans

(ISPCC)

• Iowa Board of Pharmacy took emergency action in the summer of 2010, making K2 an illegal imitation controlled substance.

• Iowa passed Legislation banning six synthetic cannabinoid compounds and two synthetic cathinones in July 2011:

Synthetics Legislation

Cannabinoids CathinonesCP 47,497 JWH-018JWH-073 JWH-200HU-210 HU-211

MephedroneMDPV

Prescription Drug Abuse

Doses of Controlled Substances Prescribed to Iowans in CY 2010

Hydrocodone And Oxycodone ID Calls From Iowans (ISPCC)

Iowa Rx Overdose DeathsMethadone & Other Opioids (IDPH)

Effects of Opioids

Short -Term Effects• Relief from Pain• Euphoria• Drowsiness• Constipation• Slowed Breathing

Long-Term Effects• Physical Dependence and

Addiction• Withdrawal symptoms

include– Restlessness– Muscle & Bone Pain– Insomnia– Vomiting – Cold Flashes

What are we doing?

Enforcement• Increased emphasis on

synthetic drugs.• Increased emphasis on

diversion investigations.• Additional drug take-back

events.• Utilizing tools available for

meth lab investigations.

Education• PSA’s on dangers of

synthetics drugs.• Presentations on synthetics

and prescription drugs.• Focus on young people

(future workers)• Educating legislatures on

these issues.

Special Thank You to the Following:

• Division of Criminal Investigation – Criminalistics Laboratory

• Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy

• Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center

• Iowa Department of Public Health

IOWA’S EMERGING DRUG TRENDS2012 Region VII – VPPPA Conference