Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse  [SCoSA]

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WHAT IS K2?

Often considered a "legal form of marijuana", K2 is quickly gaining in popularity across the nation.  It is actually a type of incense that most recently caused several Sarasota County teens to become very ill after smoking the substance.  K2's appearance is similar to potpourri and often sold in small potpourri bags, with different flavors (Blonde, Citron, Standard and Summit) and is typically sold for around $10.00 a gram.  A crime lab in the Johnson County Sheriff's Office (KS) recently tested the K2 chemical properties and discovered that K2 is similar to that of THC in marijuana, which better explains the feeling that one may experience when smoking the substance.  Since K2 does not show up in a standard drug test, and the substance is legal, the risk of legal problems for sellers and users is reduced.

Yet, with the effects being similar to that of illegal substances, people who smoke K2 still run the very real risk of impaired driving, poor decision making skills and medical problems.  With the drug being rather new, the long term health effects are still unknown, which makes its use a dangerous risk.

PARENT TIPS

Please keep an eye on your children's activities.  Do watch out for these signs of drug abuse as compiled by the police:

• Drastic change in mood without reason

• Abnormal sustained fatigue or bursts of energy

• Change in sleep or appetite patterns

• Decline in personal hygiene

• Withdrawal from family activities or decline in adherence to family rules

• Change in friends or loss of interest in typical activities

• Decline in school performance and/or attendance

• Irresponsibility

• Aggressive behavior

• Lies about whereabouts or events

• Unexplained loss of money or possessions

WHERE TO TURN

If you suspect your child or his/her friends of having been in possession of the K2 drug, you can:

• Emergency, CALL 911

• Call your family physician

• Call you local hospital

• Call your child's school (speak either with guidance counselor, school nurse and/or school resource officer)

• Health Department (941) 861-2900

Click here to view or print a flyer with this information

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