Insane Drug “Flakka” Disappears From Florida Streets

Authorities in South Florida have successfully dealt with the epidemic of flakka users in that part of the state. Flakka is a synthetic drug that was coming to the US from China. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian of The Young Turks break it down.

"Last summer, Tianga made frequent trips to this flakka hot spot as media from around the world descended on South Florida to document the synthetic stimulant’s devastating effects. Flakka addicts were everywhere. Running into traffic. Zoned-out on curbs. Sometimes naked. Sometimes in the grips of a drug-fueled psychosis.

Similar scenes unfolded across Broward County, the drug’s ground zero in the United States. The public was alarmed. Tianga of the county sheriff’s office was, too. He had never seen a drug hit so hard, so fast.

In just a few months, and with little attention, flakka has disappeared from South Florida.

Experts say drug epidemics almost never burn out like this. Look at the current distress in vast swaths of the country over heroin and its synthetic cousin fentanyl. What happened in Florida, experts say, was the result of unprecedented coordination among local groups to fight flakka’s demand and — most importantly — the unusual willingness of the Chinese government to halt flakka’s production. Florida officials early on blamed overseas labs for supplying the drug flooding American shores.”*

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