Designer drugs have been a growing issue in the past few decades. These drugs are synthetic compounds that are engineered to have similar effects to existing drugs, while also avoiding the legal restrictions on them. Designer drugs have been found to be increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults, as they are easily accessible and can be purchased online (De La Fuente, 2017).
Designer drugs are often designed to mimic the effects of existing drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017). However, due to the lack of regulation, these drugs often contain other substances that can be more harmful than the original drug. For example, a designer drug known as “flakka” has been found to contain substances that can cause severe physical and psychological side effects, including anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis (Koch, 2015).
The use of designer drugs is a growing concern among health professionals, as they are often unpredictable and can cause serious health complications. Additionally, many of these drugs are not easily detectable in standard drug tests, which makes them even more dangerous (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017). As such, it is important for health professionals to be aware of the risks associated with designer drugs and to educate their patients about them.
In order to address the issue of designer drugs, it is important for policy makers to create and enforce regulations that make it more difficult for these drugs to be sold and purchased. Additionally, it is important for health professionals to educate their patients on the dangers of designer drugs and to be aware of the signs of their use. Finally, it is important for law enforcement to work to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for selling and manufacturing these drugs.
In conclusion, designer drugs are a growing issue that poses a risk to the health of individuals. It is important for policy makers, health professionals, and law enforcement to work together to address this issue and to ensure that these drugs cannot be easily purchased or sold.
References
De La Fuente, J. (2017). Designer Drugs: What Are They and How Do They Affect People? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/designer-drugs
Koch, G. (2015). Synthetic Drugs: Flakka. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-drugs-flakka
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2017). Designer Drugs. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/designer-drugs