While you may not be familiar with the phrase “designer drug,” you’ve probably heard of drugs like ecstasy and rohypnol-both of which are common examples of designer drugs. Essentially, a designer drug has similar chemical and physical qualities to another controlled substance and is designed to mimic the effects of that controlled substance. A big factor that differentiates designer drugs from other drugs like marijuana is that, because of their similarity to common pharmaceuticals, they aren’t often detected during drug testing.
Teens and Drugs: The Facts
Unfortunately, drugs are prevalent in today’s society, especially among teens and young adults. In fact, according to DoSomething.org, 6.5 percent of high school seniors smoke pot daily. On top of that, nearly half of high school seniors don’t think it’s harmful to experiment with crack cocaine once or twice. And it’s not just high schoolers who are affected. On average, many teens by the time they reach the eighth grade have had alcohol and have smoked cigarettes and marijuana. Drug consumption as teens doesn’t stop at only marijuana either. That’s where designer drugs come in.
Common Designer Drugs
Some of the most commonly used designer drugs include:
- MDMA or Molly– Two common designer drugs, MDMA (ecstasy) and Molly have grown in popularity for teens over the years. MDMA can cause hallucinations and euphoria, but has serious side effects, such as high blood pressure and hypothermia. Plus, it can cause serious emotional side effects a few days after taking the drug, like depression or exhaustion. MDMA is classified as an amphetamine, a substance commonly used to treat ADD in children. Molly is a form of MDMA that is supposed to be amphetamine-free, but there is no guarantee of this since it’s normally obtained illegally.
- Spice– Spice, or synthetic marijuana, is also a popular drug among teens. Synthetic marijuana is made by adding synthetic chemicals to natural herbs to obtain a high from smoking it. Some of the serious side effects include paranoia and hallucinations.
- Rohypnol– Rohypnol, or more commonly known as “date rape,” is often used by teens to sedate themselves. Many teens turn to Rohypnol because they’d like to “forget about life,” avoiding everyday stressors and giving themselves a “night off.” Rohypnol, when used regularly, can be hard to quit since it can have a serious impact on the body. Typically, rehabilitation is needed to quit this drug.
Criminal Charges for Drugs: Call a Criminal Defense Attorney
When you learn your child is doing drugs, your main concern should be for their health, especially if they are using designer drugs to get high. However, your child may also face criminal charges because of drug use, possession, paraphernalia, and distribution. If this is the case, a criminal defense attorney can help. Your child may experience multiple kinds of consequences, including fines, jail time, school suspension, the inability to find a job, and a mark on their permanent record. A criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the legal aftermath of this kind of charge and reduce your child’s punishments. It’s important to talk to your child about the health dangers and criminal punishments of using drugs, but if your child does find themselves in this kind of situation, the criminal defense attorney at the Rosales Law Firm can help. Call us today to learn more.
