ORLANDO, Fla. – The state of Florida issued a warning to parents Thursday about Flakka, a synthetic drug linked to several bizarre incidents that is growing in popularity.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she wants parents to know about the dangers and availability of the drug, which she said can be purchased online.
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Flakka has been linked to several incidents in recent months.
According to authorities, a man impaled himself on a fence outside of a police station after taking the drug. A teen in Central Florida, reportedly high on Flakka, stripped off her clothes and jumped through a closed window. Another man was accused of attacking a Melbourne police officer after using the drug, police said.
In 2014, Flakka was linked to the death of a Florida concertgoer.
"Flakka causes delusions, hallucinations and can increase body temperature to a dangerous level," Bondi said. "Parents should talk to their children about this deadly synthetic drug and be aware of what their children are searching for and buying online."
Flakka, known in other states as Gravel, is not a new drug. Its main ingredient, Alpha-PVP, was outlawed in 2012 after Bondi worked with law enforcement and state lawmakers to ban a number of chemical compounds.
The use of Flakka in Florida has spiked in recent months, and with students on summer break, Bondi said parents should know what to look for.
What Flakka looks like:
Flakka is sometimes referred to as gravel because it often looks like small white rocks. It can also be purchased in powder form, and is usually sold in small clear packages.
How Flakka is used:
Flakka is a bath salt and can be snorted, swallowed, injected, smoked or vaped using an electronic cigarette.
Symptoms of Flakka use:
Like all bath salts, Flakka, can cause chest pains, irregular heartbeats, increased blood pressure, agitation, muscle breakdown and seizures. Flakka use can also cause suicidal thoughts and violence.
Who to call if you suspect your child is using Flakka:
Call your local law enforcement agency and crisis intervention center. If your child is having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.