Fake Pot, Fake Cocaine: Very Real, Very Dangerous Symptoms

One is marketed as "fake marijuana." The other is advertised as "fake cocaine" or "fake meth." Both were initially sold under the premise of being legal equivalents to illegal drugs.

But both are causing side effects that are generating a slew of calls to poison centers and spurring concern among doctors and clinicians at U.S. poison centers.

Poison centers first began taking calls about "synthetic marijuana" in late 2009. The substances sold for between $30 and $40 per three-gram bag, in packages labeled as incense or potpourri, and were marketed under brand names including "Spice," "K2," "Genie," "Yucatan Fire," "Sence," "Smoke," "Skunk" and "Zohai."

Then, late last year, poison centers began to receive calls about products marketed as "bath salts" being sold both on the Internet as well as in gas stations and head shops. Packaging is usually a plastic bag filled with a white granular powder. The products are known by names including "Red Dove," "Blue Silk," "Zoom," "Bloom," "Cloud 9," "Ocean Snow," "Lunar Wave," "Vanilla Sky," "Ivory Wave," "White Lightning," "Scarface" and "Hurricane Charlie." They produce increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions.

Here are tips on these products and the dangers surrounding them:

Parents of teens should be on the lookout for such products in their children's bedrooms and backpacks. Be particularly skeptical of products labeled "incense" or "bath salts."
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of drug use in loved ones: paranoia, changes in personality, agitation and anxiety are among the symptoms reported by users of these substances.
Talk with family members about the dangers of these products. Don't be fooled by the ready availability and legal status of new "designer drugs." These products are not a "safe" or harmless alternative to other illicit drugs of abuse. Many can cause hallucinations and agitation that, poison center officials say, represent the opposite of a "mellow high." In the case of bath salts, for example, poison center officials report instances of severe paranoia that could cause the user to harm himself or others.
Keepthe poison center's number near your phone or enter it into your phone list: 1-800-222-1222. Remember: You can call your poison center to ask about these substances even if you have not been exposed to them.

If you have other poisoning concerns or question call the toll-free national hotline at 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center. If you live in Arizona outside of Maricopa County, this number will get you to our experts at the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center in Tucson. Check out our website for more information.