Dangerous synthetic drug making its way across the country

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A dangerous new synthetic drug is making its way across the country, and dealers may be targeting kids.

It's called 2C-I or "smiles." and it's being marketed as “the new bath salt.”

2C-I is now illegal in the United States, but it's still being talked about all over the Internet – even in You Tube videos.

Experts in Indiana are educating themselves on the drug – and say they’re concerned the drug could arrive here.

Cindy Schroeder is a Clinical Supervisor at Tara Treatment Center in Johnson County.

Schroeder is learning more and more lately about this latest drug craze.

“I’m concerned,” said Schroeder. She hasn’t seen any patients yet addicted to the drug, but she’s already discussed “Smiles” with other area professionals.

“It’s important so we know how to treat it, in an emergency room…. Or in a treatment center.”

Schroeder hasn't seen any patients yet addicted to the drug..

“Smiles” is making national headlines. It’s blamed for the deaths of two teens in North Dakota, and investigators believe it may be behind the death of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor Johnny Lewis, who they say killed his landlord then fell off a building.

2C-I is marketed as a party drug, like LSD or ecstasy. It’s a synthetic hallucinogen that looks like powdered sugar, and can be mixed and eaten with chocolate – like candy. It’s also used to put in drinks, or on a blotter sheet.

“The danger of the powder and the blotter acid is, it’s easy to hide. What parent is going to look at that blotter or that paper as being dangerous? Or chocolate?” added Schroeder.

Julie Saetre with Drug Free Marion County is also hoping to get out the word about this particular drug. Their October newsletter is headlined by 2C-I.

“You just don’t know what you’re going to get dose by dose with this drug,” said Saetre. “People who are on this drug can have dangerously high blood pressure.. severe hallucinations.. even kidney failure.”

The most dangerous part? It can take awhile before users feel a “high.”

“It doesn’t hit them as quickly as they would like it to. So they think, ‘Oh, I’m not high.’ So they take more. Now the danger is, they have double the amount of the compound in them,” explained Schroeder.

The Indiana Poison Center hasn't had anyone come in, using 2C-I.

Experts say it’s important parents know about the drug before it surfaces in Indiana, so they know what to look for.