Dr. Ronnie Swift, Chief of Psychiatry at Metropolitan Hospital Center, will provide an overview entitled “The Silent Epidemic: Synthetic Drug Use in East Harlem” on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 12 noon. Dr. Swift will discuss the use, abuse, and harmful effects of synthetic drugs including bath salts, and others known by their street names, such as K2, Spice, and Molly. The presentation will be held at Metropolitan Hospital Center, 1901 First Avenue at 97th Street, in Room 1B35. Synthetic cannabis, known as “K2” or “spice”, and other synthetic drugs such as “Molly” are readily available in East Harlem and other neighborhoods throughout the city. The inexpensive drugs are often misleadingly marketed to users as legal and more natural than other drugs. Synthetic cannabis can be ten times more potent than natural cannabis, leading to increased possibility of severe intoxication and other physical and psychoactive reactions requiring emergency room care.
The lecture is part of Learn With Us, Metropolitan’s monthly series on important health topics. The event is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served. All are welcome to attend.
