State Representative Mike Sparks of Smyrna was in Murfreesboro on Tuesday to speak with a small group of volunteers who are working hard to solve the ongoing problem of synthetic drug use. Sparks met at The Experience Church to discuss the growing problem.

One of the biggest issues right now in regards to drugs in Rutherford County deals with synthetic marijuana. According to the American Poison Control Centers, over 4,300 cases of synthetic marijuana usage have been reported to their hotline in Tennessee alone this year. Of course most of the calls they received were in regards to adverse reactions to the synthetic drug.

Many of those who use synthetic marijuana quickly realize after they first inhale that synthetics are nothing like the real plant. Withdrawals from synthetic weed are also much different from a long list of other drugs. Those who try to quit often find themselves unable to control bodily functions, sweat profusely with their core body temperature increasing greatly which can lead to kidney and liver failure.