FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel refers to the newest street drug as "$5 insanity."
He's talking about the synthetic drug "flakka," which is becoming more prevalent in the headlines.
"In 2013, our lab examined zero cases of this synthetic drug," Israel said Wednesday. "In 2014, we examined approximately 190 cases. (It is now) in the month of May, and we already up to 275 cases."
Israel called flakka a dangerous and deadly drug.
"The worst part about it is what it can do and what it does to people," Israel said.
Law enforcement claims that the bath salt causes delusions, making users think they are stronger and faster than they really are.
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Israel and other county leaders have created a flakka action plan designed to put a stop to the drug.
"We will make sure the public knows as much as they can about it," Israel said. "We'll arrest those that are selling it and trafficking it, and I believe we will bring a successful end to it. I just hope it doesn't take us a long time."
Public outreach, weekly meetings and visits to schools are part of the flakka action plan. Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan said it's a start, but he knows that there is plenty of work to be done.
"We still have a lot to do, and as the public becomes aware of it, we're going to become much more successful," Ryan said.
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