Chemical Highs: Flakka and the Rise of Synthetic Drugs

Gr 9 Up—This short but hard-hitting film describes the nature and effects of the synthetic drug called Flakka, which has been called "$5 insanity" for good reason. Drugs made in labs to mimic illegal street drugs—marijuana, heroin, and meth—pose extreme danger to users. As described by experts, synthetics are made up of unknown chemical compounds, including pesticides and other poisons. The experiences of three former users/addicts are interspersed with narratives by a recovery specialist/drug counselor and an emergency room doctor. Flakka was the drug involved in the sensationalized news story about a zombielike man who bit off another man's face, and a special adviser for substance abuse research explains that this story surprisingly increased use of the drug. Experts explain Flakka's effects on the body and mind of the user, including hallucinations, paranoia, and activation of the flight or fight response, which greatly increases adrenaline and body temperature, which in turn burns muscle and the outer cortex of the brain. Former users describe lasting effects—stammering, feelings of fogginess, problems with memory and reading, and paranoia. A young woman shares a photo of when she was addicted; her wasted appearance is shocking. Footage of a convulsive woman high on Flakka also provides a sobering picture.