DEAR EDITOR:
Call them spice, potpourri, incense, bath salts, k-2, etc.
I recently became aware of these "synthetic" copies of marijuana by accident. My daughter researched these products on the computer. We were devastated to find out how dangerous they are. The side effects are extreme and may even cause paralysis or death.
I wrote this letter just before viewing the Dr. Phil show featuring this product, so I am more determined now for parents, teachers, grandparents, doctors and everyone else to become aware of how serious this problem is.
These substances are sold over the counter and over the computer. They are not yet illegal. Some are banned in certain places. The packages carry an age limit as well as a "not for human consumption" warning. This product has been found much more potent and dangerous than marijuana. Something is wrong with our society when such dangerous substances can be so easily obtained by our youth.
The kids are rationalizing that if it's legal to sell over the counter, it can't be bad for us. Some of our young people are more susceptible to experimentation than others. That doesn't make them bad. They seem to have more of a need to explore the unknown much to their detriment at times. These new drugs lure them in with their legality consequently causing dependency they are unable to control.
Where is the FDA with their censorship of these mind-killing drugs? What good can come from this product except to add another crutch to society? Why are these substances allowed to reach the market? What purpose do they serve other than to render the victim unstable and addicted?
I am angry and sad. My tears are for the victim of this new degrading drug, and every mother, father, grandparent and child who will carry the scars for the money hungry "monsters" who created these products.
We have to educate ourselves and unite against this abuse of our youth and society in general. It affects us all. Those early years when we lovingly invested in sports, dance lessons, music lessons and the importance of family, would be such a waste if when our children reach their teen years, we become complacent, unaware and uninvolved.
For more information people can research online "legal or synthetic marijuana." Some of the side effects are euphoria, hallucinations, vomiting blood, loss of appetite, paralysis and possibly death.
Anne Japuncha
Cortland