China’s Ban on Chemicals Led to Drop in Some Synthetic Drugs in U.S.

The Chinese government’s ban on certain chemicals has led to a decrease in the synthetic drug flakka in Florida, according to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials. China banned 115 chemicals in October.

Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2 or spice, have also decreased substantially in the U.S., CNN reports.

DEA officials recently met with their Chinese counterparts to talk about working together to stop Chinese chemists from manufacturing and selling synthetic drugs in the United States.

Lt. Ozzy Tianga, Sheriff of Broward County, Florida, noted, “Overall, [synthetics have] significantly dropped since the ban — at the epicenter here in South Florida. But by no way are we out of the woods. There will be more molecular changes to substances that will be introduced to society.”