Deadly New Drug Hits Chicago Area

 Posted on June 12, 2015 in Drug Crimes

A 24-year-old New Lenox man recently shared the experience he had involving a new designer drug – which authorities describe as "deadly – a drug that the man had no idea he was taking. The drug caused the man to black out and suffer from a psychotic episode. He and his family described how he became violent and even ran around his neighborhood naked. The man had no recollection of any of what happened, including being arrested, until three days later when he woke up in a jail cell.

The drug, officially called Alpha-PVP, is referred to as "flakka" or "gravel." It is a second-generation bath salt, coming in the form of crystals which can be eaten, injected, snorted, or vaporized. Reports are that flakka is more addictive than both crack cocaine and crystal meth. The drug is produced in China and began first appearing in the Southern Florida area. However, there are reports of it appearing in the Chicago area and elsewhere in the country, including Texas and Ohio, causing the hospitalization of at least 20 victims per day, and being blamed for almost a dozen deaths.

The street price of flakka is low and the target market for the drug appears to be young people. Because it is so highly addictive, many drug dealers give it to unsuspecting users. Even more dangerous are what the drug dealers are cutting it with – insecticides and rat poison.

When flakka is ingested, it often causes hallucinations, psychotic episodes and violence, as the New Lenox man described. Users can also experience extremely high body temperatures – up to 105 to 107 degrees. Additionally, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia, renal failure, and seizures are also possible.

Last year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) placed the Alpha-PVP on its illegal drug list, making possession a crime. However, because of the dangerous side effects the drug has on users, there is also the strong possibility of being arrested for other crimes while under its influence – even for people who had no idea they were being given it.

If you have been arrested for a drug crime, contact an experienced Arlington Heights criminal defense attorney to make sure your constitutional rights are protected. Call Attorney Scott F. Anderson at 847-253-3400 to schedule a free initial consultation today.