Emerging drugs presenting new challenges

LE MARS, Iowa (KTIV) -

Marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines are three drugs you hear quite a bit about, and have for years.

But what about plant food, bath salts, herbal incense, and potpourri? Do you know what they are?

You should. These are the fastest growing substances being abused.

Many of these new drugs are marketed as legal on the internet or even sold over the counter in some states. But they're often abused because people use them differently than how they're labeled and sold.

Several newer drugs including synthetic cannabis called K2 are being sold as incense or bath salts.

Juvenile Court Officer Andrea Dreckman has been hearing about these drugs for almost two years.

"They'll talk about how their friends will pass out and they'll keep watch over them to make sure that their hearts are still beating, you know that they don't need to call the ambulance to come and get them," said Dreckman.

Dreckman says she's seen kids, as young as 15, abuse these types of drugs. She says many of them admit the experience was frightening, but doesn't necessarily mean they stopped.

"I've had kids use it and tell me that they're never going to use it again because of how scary it was, how weird it made them feel, or what it does to their friends, but then they typically still use it again," said Dreckman.

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Emerging drugs presenting new challenges