Health Officials Issue 'Urgent' Warning to Parents Regarding Synthetic Drug Flakka

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Suffolk County Board of Health issued an urgent warning to parents on Wednesday regarding a new synthetic drug known as flakka or gravel.

“The Board of Health has brought to my attention the emergence of this substance and its devastating effects on the human body,” Suffolk Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken said. “Flakka is exceptionally dangerous. Parents and guardians, children, adults, educators, law enforcement and health professionals need to be aware of its potentially devastating effects.”

Dr. Stephen Dewey, a Suffolk County Board of Health member and addiction researcher at the Feinstein Institute, said: “These new synthetics compounds can impact the brain and its development during adolescence. In high doses, they can and they have killed.”

According to Dewey, flakka is similar to a group of drugs commonly known as bath salts. Both of these illegal drugs are amphetamine-like substances called cathinones.

Currently, flakka has been seen predominantly in southern Florida, where over 300 overdoses and 10 deaths have been reported. In April, a Florida man believed be on high on flakka, ran naked through the streets and attacked a police officer while repeatedly saying he was God, according to a ClickOrlando.com report.

Flakka can be eaten, snorted, injected, or smoked, health officials say. Its physical appearance resembles grains of sand, salt, or gravel. The effect on the brain and central nervous system is profound and, in some cases, irreversible. At high enough doses, it is lethal.

Flakka-induced seizures, severe disorientation, anxiety, agitation, delirium, hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis, heightened awareness, feelings of extreme strength, and increased blood pressure and heart rate have been reported. The extreme strength exhibited by those who have used flakka has often required victims to be subdued by force.

More on Patch:

• Hofstra Grad Katherine Chappell ID’d as Victim in Lion Attack
• Man Gets 20 Years for Armed Taxi Robberies
• ‘Best 100 Elementary Schools in New York’ List Released
• $1 Million Mega Millions Ticket Sold on Long Island
• Police: Man Changes Into Scrubs Before Burglarizing Hospital
• Police: Woman Stole Money From Collection Boxes at Long Island Church
• Wow House: Babylon Victorian Built in 1870 With Restored Carriage House
• June 2-Suffolk Arrest Report
• Jason Derulo to Headline Second Annual Hamptons Live Event