Dr. Jane Maxwell, senior research scientist at the Addiction Research Institute of the School of Social Work, authored the op-ed piece “With synthetic drugs, what you don’t know could really hurt,” published in today’s Austin-American Statesman. The op-ed was part of Texas Perspectives, The University of Texas at Austin’s new op-ed wire service.
In her piece, Maxwell responds to the recent spate of overdoses on synthetic cannabis, known as K2, in Austin and Dallas (watch a Fox 7 interview with Maxwell on the subject). She argues that we need to provide information based on solid data to our youth, so that they understand the dangers of taking chemical drugs with formulas that are constantly changing in content and effects.
“We need to make sure our children understand that the synthetic marijuana in the packets is NOT the same as the ‘old’ baggie of herbal marijuana, and that it is more potent with unknown chemicals,” she said.
Maxwell is an expert in trends and patterns of substance abuse in Texas, nationally, and internationally, with special interests on the US-Mexico border, opiate drugs, and impaired driving programs. Read more or watch a video about Maxwell research.