Expert: Flakka Entrenched in South Florida Drug Scene

July 31--WEST PALM BEACH -- Whether it's users running naked in the street and on rooftops or the fact that it costs as little as $3 to get high, the synthetic drug flakka doesn't seem to be leaving the South Florida drug scene, said Jim Hall an epidemiologist at Nova Southeastern University.

"The flakka frenzy (has) caught our attention," he said.

But the long-lasting effects on individuals and the area is what brought a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200 to the Hanley Center as part of the Flakka Community Response Forum hosted by the the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition Thursday afternoon. The coalition, which has been around since the 1980s, aims to help reduce and prevent alcohol and drug abuse in the county.

Hall told the crowd that the synthetic drug flakka takes very little to get a high that's known to cause "excited delirium" which involves symptoms like paranoia, hyper stimulation and hallucinations which can lead to injury or death.

"This isn't spice or bath salts or incense," Hall said. "These are psychoactive substances that change the brain's function."

Jeff Kadel, the executive director of coalition, said what a lot of people don't realize is that flakka affects the brain. Unlike drinking where individuals have a hangover the next morning, flakka's effect can last up to five days, he said.

"There's no shortage of people using and abusing flakka," he said. "This is something that looks like it's going to be here for awhile."

With an increased demand for the cheap high, which costs $3 to $5 for one-tenth of a gram, dealers who buy a kilo online for $1,500 from China, make serious profit, according to the coalition's July drug trends report. A kilo can make up to 10,000 sales for around $50,000.

On prevention, Kadel said the coalition implemented the program "Don't Be a Guinea Pig," which discourages individuals from trying new synthetic drugs that often have unknown potency or side effects. Because new synthetic drugs are coming out so frequently, it's hard to focus on just one, he said.

"It's silly to say don't do Molly and then next week don't do this new drug," he said.

Chief Jeffrey Katz of Boynton Beach Police, a handful of Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies and State Attorney Dave Aronberg were among those at the forum.

"We've seen a rise in (flakka) cases," Aronberg said. He said events like the forum help provide better understanding of what's going on. "That's why we're here."

Kadel said in addition putting together town halls like Thursday's event to inform and create action plans with the community, the group trains first responders so they know what to look for when dealing with someone who may be on flakka. PBSO and Delray Beach Police are two of the agencies whose officers have received training from the coalition.

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