New Super Powerful Drug Called Flakka Wreaking Havoc on Florida
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Flakka sounds like it would be a good time. Named after a Spanish slang word for “pretty woman,” it seems like it would feel like a trip to the moon on gossamer wings, but the name is misleading: Flakka is a potent stimulant that turns people aggressive and violent, making them believe they have superhero strength. Unsurprisingly, it is also the cause of a rash of recent deaths in southern Florida.
The New York Times reports that the cheap synthetic substance (similar in some ways to bath salts) has been implicated in at least 18 deaths in one Florida county since September. Flakka’s appeal is that it’s cheap ($5) and long-lasting (up to three days per dose), but the side effects include hallucinations and paranoia coupled with violence.