Flakka: $3 in Florida, $100 in Kentucky, and No One Knows How to Stop It

Within the short times pan of 2015 flakka has taken its toll on the South Florida community; there are currently 25 confirmed deaths caused by flakka, according to The Courier Journal. Unfortunately, flakka isn’t only popular in sunkissed Florida; the synthetic form of Alpha-PVP is becoming common in neighboring states, including Kentucky. Flakka is responsible for causing permanent physical damage to the body, and inducing its users into a state of unshakable psychosis. Because the substance is continually changing chemical synthesis, medical professionals are unsure how to aptly treat patients suffering from the effects of the highly addictive drug.

The Courier Journal quotes Paul Faulk, who works directly with victims who have come into contact with the substance,

“Because of its chemical design, medicine has not caught up with it and we’re still trying to understand what the drug is doing in the human body and the brain.”

Broward County recently held a flakka vigil to honor those who have suffered because of the substance, and to raise awareness in the community of the deadly nature of flakka. The popularity of the drug in Florida stems from its rife availability at $3-$5 a hit. Flakka has become so available some children, who are only ten years old, have been sold the substance, according to The Courier Journal. In Kentucky flakka sells on the streets illegally for $100 a hit.

In addition to bolstering prevention efforts for school children and the community, local law enforcement agents began implementing prevention education measures for the homeless community, who is particularly vulnerable. Law enforcement officials have difficulty zeroing in on the source of the synthetic substance, as the product may be purchased online in bulk and easily distributed.

To complicate matters, because of the superhuman strength flakka bestows on its users, multiple police responders are needed to subdue someone high on the addictive substance. The Courier Journal quotes Lt. Ozzy Tianga,

“We’ve tased individuals [on flakka] who – while the taser is in operation – pulled the taser prongs out of their chests. . .Absent Alpha-PVP, I’ve never seen somebody withstand a taser.”

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The post Flakka: $3 in Florida, $100 in Kentucky, and No One Knows How to Stop It appeared first on Harbor Village Florida.

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