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Are people dying from what they don’t know?

Drug-Free World Foundation launches Truth About Drugs campaign to educate on emerging threat of synthetic drugs

The drug crisis is not just a problem for ‘others.’ Drug education is the responsibility of all citizens. It needs to be a shoulder to shoulder effort.”
— Rev. Susan Taylor

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, December 6, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- WASHINGTON, DC – The Foundation for a Drug-Free World announced its campaign for 2019 focus on educating people about the dangers of synthetic drugs. While many people are now aware of the opioid epidemic and how easily one can get addicted to prescription pain killers, synthetics are an emerging threat overwhelming our cities and medical infrastructure.

In June 2018, more than 300 people overdosed on tainted synthetic cannabinoid, also known as “K2” or “synthetic Marijuana”, in a two-week period in Washington, DC, alone. Three people died after using K2 the next month according to the medical examiner’s report.

Many of those working to prevent drug abuse have noted that those on the street have no idea what synthetic drugs are composed of or what they are ingesting when smoking or eating drug-laced foods including brownies, popcorn and cookies. With the internet today, anyone can create or order one or more of a multitude of synthetic drugs.

According to the DEA website, synthetic marijuana is “A synthetic version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, K2/Spice is a mixture of plant material sprayed with synthetic psychoactive chemicals. Often looks like potpourri and typically labeled ‘not for human consumption.’ Dangerous to purchase from Internet because its origins and chemical amounts are unknown. The ingredients and strength of products containing synthetic cannabinoids are almost impossible for the user to know.”

What happened in Washington is just a glimpse into what is occurring nation wide according to the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration. According to National Public Radio, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is tracking multiple outbreaks across the country associated with synthetic cannabinoids use and The Food and Drug Administration is warning of “severe illness and death” that have resulted from the use of contaminated synthetic marijuana products in recent months in several states.

A wide range of government agencies and non-profits including the US Attorney’s Office, the Department of Behavioral Health, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the DC Prevention Centers, Court Services and Offenders Supervision Agency and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner meet monthly to strategize on how to reach vulnerable populations.

“It is imperative that citizens educate themselves so in turn they can share the truth about drugs with their children, neighbors and co-workers. Knowing that drugs are poisons, knowing what dealers are lacing drugs with and knowing what is in the drug you are taking can save a person’s life,” said Drug-Free World Faith Liaison Rev. Susan Taylor of the Church of Scientology. “The drug crisis is not just a problem for ‘others.’ Drug education is the responsibility of all citizens. It needs to be a shoulder to shoulder effort.”

To respond and alert people to the new dangerous drug epidemic from synthetic drugs, Drug-Free World has started holding regular seminars and has distributed tens of thousands of its award-winning drug education booklets and videos throughout the Washington, DC, area at weekly drug education events.

The Foundation for a Drug Free World, a non-profit based out of Los Angeles, supported by the Church of Scientology, that focuses on grassroots level drug prevention and education and provides high quality materials to health counselors, teachers, Sheriff's departments and police, all over the world. Through the Foundation and its volunteers and partners, more than 62 million of the Foundation's educational booklets have been distributed, tens of thousands of drug awareness events have been held, and the Foundation's public service announcements have reached more than 260 million viewers in 123 countries. Successful uses of these materials are featured on the Scientology.TV network.

Susan Taylor
Drug Free World
+1 202-667-6404
email us here

https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/synthetic.html

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