Deadly Chemistry: The Rise of Synthetic Drugs

Dr. Ruben Baler, Health Scientist, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), talks about psychoactive substances’ chemistry and behavioral pharmacology. Lisa Pryor, DEA Group Supervisor, Tactical Diversion Squad, gives a brief overview on bath salts and spice, the effects of those drugs, and lessons learned in the field about how they are used. Robert Bell, DEA Staff Coordinator, Synthetic Drugs & Chemicals Section, provides an overview of synthetic designer drug trafficking and abuse, difficulties designer drugs pose to law enforcement officials, and DEA’s efforts to schedule designer drugs to address public safety issues.