Flakka is a synthetic cathinone, a drug technically called alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PDP). The drug resembles a white or pink crystal and typically has a foul smell and chemically models another popular street drug called “bath salts.” It is a derivative of the drug cathinone, which is found naturally as part of the khat plant that grows wild in the Middle East and Somalia. There, the khat plant is widely chewed, and its natural effects create a mild euphoria. The synthetic version produces something akin to amphetamines, which amplifies the natural effects into a psychotic rage.
Flakka crystals can be injected, eaten, snorted or vaporized, delivered in an e-cigarette or other pipe. When vaporized, Flakka quickly gets into the bloodstream, and overdosing is not hard to accomplish. But Flakka’s major downside is causing what’s termed “excited delirium,” a condition that can induce raving, hyper-stimulated activity, hallucinations and paranoia, most of it leading to violence, extreme aggression and physical injuries from thrashing about. Some law enforcement officials claim that users are so zonked out that they resemble the zombies popularized in television and movies, unthinking creatures wantonly abusing anything that crosses their path.
Many Flakka users risk heart attacks due to rising blood pressure and body temperature as they ingest the drug. It also can cause kidney damage or organ failure, and some users commit suicide under its influence.
The street name is a misnomer for a drug with such a big impact. Flakka is a colloquial term used by Hispanics that refers to an elegant woman with charm. No doubt this is a sly reference to the drug’s addictive properties.
A Florida Thing
So far, the use of Flakka has been confined largely to Florida. But word travels fast in the drug community, and use has spread to New York, Texas and Ohio and will likely be widespread early next year. The drug is highly addictive, so many dealers may give it out freely, knowing thrill-seekers will be back for more in short order.
Flakka is classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, which indicates a drug with a high potential for abuse and no real functions as medical treatments. The chemical components were banned as far back as 2011, but it has taken until now for Flakka to become a street drug.
While some popular drugs like MDMA (known as “molly” or “ecstasy” on the street) induce a warm, friendly feeling, Flakka is the polar opposite. Its mechanisms are re-uptake inhibitors of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are important nerve transmission hormones. While these hormones are normally absorbed by cells after release, Flakka blocks their absorption, leading to a longer effect from dopamine and serotonin, thus producing the “excited delirium” phase of the drug.
The drug is not meant for anyone suffering underlying health issues. Body temperatures can escalate to as high as 106 degrees, a temperature at which body organs, particularly the kidneys, can begin to fail or be seriously damaged. Meanwhile, Flakka's psychological effects include anxiety, paranoia and other aspects of a psychotic reaction. Users feel increased strength and a consequent loss of their sense of reality, leading to behaviors that are dangerous to themselves and anyone unfortunate enough to be in their vicinity.
This can lead to extremes in behavior that are straight out of a horror movie. In one of the most well-publicized instances, a man gnawed the face off of a live victim.
Many of the suppliers of Flakka come from China, India or Pakistan, and Flakka crystals are often cut with other drugs. It can be bought online illegally for as little as $3 to $5, making it a cheaper high than expensive cocaine for the young and impoverished.
Law enforcement is in the early stages of dealing with this drug. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration reports that Flakka had no reported cases in 2010 but had more than 670 in 2014, the last year for which statistics are available. The Fort Lauderdale police department, recognizing the outbreak of the drug, has created a special task force specifically designed to coordinate its activities with federal agencies on stopping the drug’s spread. In New York City, hospitals are reportedly admitting more than 150 patients per week, according to WPIX-TV news.
Controlling Flakka's Spread
Beyond the psychotic reactions of users, the problem with Flakka is how easy it is to overdose on the drug. Because dosages are difficult to estimate with crystals because of the varying quality of the drug and its easy transition from eating to smoking, it is hard for users to know what they are getting. The high can last for several hours or can last as little as one hour. That creates a powerful incentive to use more, and there are early signs that neurological damage and the addictive nature of the drug can lead to taking more in a short period. Just a minor error in dosage can be the difference between getting high and dying, according to one health official.
Part of the problem of controlling Flakka’s street appearance is that until recently, its chemical components were not illegal in China. The Chinese government has since declared Alpha-PVP to be a controlled substance, which should help somewhat. But dealers will just morph their procurement to other sources.
The Internet is another powerful tool to obtain Flakka. There are various marketplaces that deliver on promises of anonymity, making it easier for buyers and sellers to meet and transact. That can hamper law enforcement because the person-to-person delivery is harder to stop than the previous generation’s one-to-many approach.
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
Because Flakka can be vaped or eaten, it is easy to hide its use in public or private. Look for strange crystals and notable changes in behavior as the tell-tale signs of its use. As with any drug, education on its dangers may provide a disincentive for its use.