Northumberland OPP are warning the public about a new synthetic street drug called flakka suspected to be circulating in Northumberland County.
This drug is being sold on the streets as Xanax. Flakka is often a more potent form of the drug known as “bath salts.”
“Flakka is a designer drug that can be snorted, smoked, injected or swallowed,” OPP stated. “The drug has been found in both powder and rock forms and can vary in colour. It may also be combined with other, softer drugs such as marijuana.”
Symptoms of ingestion of Flakka are often delayed, police noted. They may not occur up to 18 to 24 hours after ingestion.
Some symptoms include extreme agitation, hallucinations, dystonia (muscles contract uncontrollably), psychosis, hyperactivity, delirium, bizarre behaviour and extreme strength.
The side effects of this drug include — but are not limited to — acute kidney injury, heart failure and even death, police said.
“Anyone who encounters a person who appears to be in a state of overdose should exercise extreme caution and immediately call 911,” OPP stated.