Fayetteville cops fear 'Devil's Drug' is on the street
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- The Devil's Drug. Five-dollar insanity.
That's how medical doctors and law enforcement officers describe a surging new so-called designer drug.
It's called Flakka, and Fayetteville Police are waiting for lab results on some illegal drugs taken off a suspect recently to determine whether that drug is the city's first confirmed case of Flakka.
"It's a very dangerous synthetic drug" said Fayetteville Police Lt. David McLaurin. "It's man-made, not a natural drug, so the body does not tolerate it very well. It's very disruptive to the body."
According to national reports, Flakka use started surging in Florida and New York in late 2014 and quickly spread. McLaurin said narcotics officers suspect it's on Cumberland County streets.
"Officers on the street are hearing people talk about it," he said. "We do not have a confirmed case yet, but we do believe we have caught somebody with it in possession."
According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drug is a crystal, like other "bath salts" drugs. It can be eaten, snorted, injected or vaporized. It's the drug's effects that are so dangerous.
It's easily overdosed, and can cause hyper-stimulation, paranoia, and hallucinations that can lead to violent and aggressive behavior, suicide, heart attack and kidney failure.
So why would someone use or even try such a dangerous drug?
According to reports, the effects are similar to cocaine, but at about a third of the price of other methamphetamines -- as low as 3-5 dollars a hit. Dealers, police say, are targeting low-income users and young people.
This is why Fayetteville police are warning potential users and parents to be on the alert.
"It would be a good idea to go ahead and have that talk with their children," McLaurin said. "It's a very dangerous drug."
Last summer, law officers in the western part of the state busted a Flakka smuggling ring and confiscated thousands of doses.
And Fayetteville police say they know it's just a matter of time, before this "Devil's Drug" will surge onto local streets.
That's why they are sounding the warning now.
