News
Tough FDA Tobacco Regulations Take Effect June 22
Additional FDA tobacco regulations go into effect June 22 on the marketing and selling of cigarettes and tobacco products. The FDA will begin enforcing new rules cracking down on tobacco marketing and sales to kids. The tobacco companies continue to spend $12.8 billion a year -- $35 million each day -- to market their deadly and addictive products, often in ways that appeal to children. These new rules will:
* Ban all tobacco-brand sponsorships of sports and entertainment events.
* Ban virtually all free tobacco samples and giveaways of non-tobacco items, such as hats and T-shirts, with the purchase of tobacco.
* Prohibit the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20. This will eliminate so-called "kiddie packs" that make cigarettes more affordable and appealing to kids.
* Require stores to place cigarettes and other tobacco products behind the counter, out of reach of children. The new rules restrict vending machines and self-service displays to adult-only facilities.
* Establish a nationwide prohibition on tobacco sales to children under 28, require photo ID checks for sales to anyone appearing under 27 years of age and provide tough federal enforcement and penalties against retailers who sell to minors.
For more information on the FDA law, go to www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/fda
A new type of drug called K2 has entered Johnson County. K2 is composed of herbal incense and is commonly smoked in either a drug pipe or a bong. It contains synthetic cannabinoids that are not listed on the Schedule 1 list. K2 is sold in four different varieties, with K2 Blonde and K2 Summit being the most popular. K2 Summit is reported to be the strongest of the four varieties. K2 is primarily sold in three gram packages and the price per package is $25. It is gaining tremendous popularity among the teenage population in Johnson County. Juvenile probation officers have reported that they are seeing an increase in abnormal drug screens, which they believe is related to the usage of K2. One local juvenile reported that he no longer smokes marijuana and is only going to smoke K2 from now on. A K2 user posted on the internet that K2 produces a high 10x that of marijuana and he “couldn’t move for an hour”.
It is important to note that even though K2 is legal; a driver that is impaired from using it can still be arrested. This would be similar to someone under the influence of prescribed medication or over-the- counter medication. In these cases it would be wise to consult a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
The House and Senate Committees in the State of Kansas have recommended that these synthetic cannabinoids be placed on the schedule 1 drug list. If this occurs this session, Kansas will be the only State to have moved forward with this type of legislation. Kansas is certainly a leader in prevention and this move would prove that, yet again, Kansas cares about preventing substance abuse
Fake Weed "K2" Can Cause Hallucinations
Study Also Says Vomiting, Seizures Among Possible Reactions to Synthetic Drug
(AP)
Toxicologists at three universities and two governmental agencies have launched a study into the effects of a synthetic drug being used by some smokers as a legal substitute to marijuana.
The drug is an unregulated mixture of dried herbs, flowers and tobacco that is covered with a synthetic compound purported to give a high similar to marijuana. It is commonly called "K2," Spice," Genie" and "Zohai."
One of the researchers involved in the new study is Dr. Anthony Scalzo, a toxicologist at Saint Louis University. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he has seen more than 30 cases of Missouri teenagers having hallucinations, severe agitation, elevated heart rates, vomiting, seizures and other reactions to the substance.
Scalzo, who also directs the Missouri Regional Poison Control Center at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis, said the symptoms suggest the drug affects users' cardiovascular and central nervous systems. He said the symptoms are not typical for those who use marijuana.
"It should not be doing this; it should be doing the opposite," Scalzo said. "They think they're going to mellow, and that's not what's happening."
Scalzo first noticed the pattern in mid-February during a routine review of poison control cases. He said poison control centers from other states, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Virginia, have contacted him with similar cases, but not at Missouri's rate.
"We have the most cases in Missouri of any other state I know of," Scalzo said. "It's a public health issue."
Scalzo said there may be another unknown toxic chemical being sprayed on the dried herb mix or the drug, which was never intended for human consumption, may be too potent.
There have been few studies on its effects, but Scalzo is working with researchers at Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts, the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to study how the synthetic compound affects the human body.
The mix is sold in 3-ounce packages and the contents are not regulated.
"It's not a very precise thing to throw a bunch of garbage in a bag and sell it to somebody," said Dr. Chris Rosenbaum, a toxicologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Rosenbaum is working with Scalzo on the study, which will look at the effects on emergency room patients.
"There haven't been a lot of studies of what is inside of it," Rosenbaum said. "It's anybody's guess."
In mice, it can lead to a lower body temperature, partial paralysis and the temporary inability to feel pain, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.
The most well-known version of the synthetic compound was created by researchers at Clemson University. Similar compounds have been manufactured by companies in Asia who market the mix as incense or fertilizer. It is legal in the U.S., but has been banned in Russia and most of Europe.
Kansas has passed legislation to ban the substance, and the bill is pending before Gov. Mark Parkinson. Similar legislation also has been sponsored in Missouri.
The Missouri House briefly discussed the bill Wednesday. Several lawmakers questioned whether the state is moving to place too tough of restrictions on the substance.
Heroin Use Spikes Among Johnson County Teens
Police in Johnson County say parents should be on alert for a new type of drug use among young people. The drug is heroin and authorities say its use is spiking and causing deaths.
"We see a lot of teenagers and young adults raiding their parent's medicine cabinets," said Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe.
The drug of choice is the prescription pain medication ocycontin, an opiate that experts said can lead to an even bigger problem. Once addicted, experts said oxycontin serves as a natural gateway to heroin.
In 2007, Johnson County saw 15 oxycontinoverdoses and eight heroin deaths. That number rose to 24 overdoses and five heroin deaths in 2008. As of June, the county has seen 22 overdoses and six deaths.
County officials are working with police, drug counselors and the sheriffs department to create a presentation for schools throught the area to educate everyone about the problem.
"This is a community problem that requires a community response," said Janine Gracy, director of the Regional Prevention Center.
The Home Medicine Cabinet: Teens' New 'Supplier'
Some call them Generation Rx.
Since grade school, they’ve been taught by DARE officers to say no to alcohol, marijuana and other illegal drugs. But the message about prescription drug abuse hasn’t been as loud.
“We’re so worried about the meth, pot and other street drugs. And this isn’t street drugs,” said Kara Erickson, a nurse at Shawnee Mission South High School. “People view them as being safe. … And students are realizing, ‘Hey, there are drugs out here and they get them from their parents’ medicine cabinets.’”
Medical professionals and youth advocates say they haven’t done enough to attack the growing problem in middle and high schools. But at Shawnee Mission South, that might have begun to change.
for complete article click RPC Blog
Inhalants Are Drug of Choice for Youngest Users
Many 12 year-olds in the “tween” generation, yearning to become teenagers, are already using illicit drugs. Their drug of choice is inhalants. This is the conclusion of a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), revealed today at a press conference by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC) to kick off the 16th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). The data show that 3.4 percent of 12 year-old children used inhalants in the past 12 months, outpacing use of marijuana (1.1 percent) and misuse of prescription pain relievers (2.7 percent).
Inhalant use increased to 4.8 percent for 13 year-olds, use that is more common than use of marijuana (4.0 percent) or misuse of prescription pain relievers (3.9 percent). The data, which reflect an annual average of combined 2002-2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), indicated that by age 14 use of marijuana and prescription pain relievers increases, leaving inhalants ranked third. But regardless of age of use, inhalants can cause “
Sudden Sniffing Death” or lead to addiction and other health risks.
for complete article click RPC Blog
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