This can lead to extremes in behavior that are straight out of a horror movie. In one of the most well-publicized instances, a man gnawed the face off of a live victim.

Many of the suppliers of Flakka come from China, India or Pakistan, and Flakka crystals are often cut with other drugs. It can be bought online illegally for as little as $3 to $5, making it a cheaper high than expensive cocaine for the young and impoverished.

Law enforcement is in the early stages of dealing with this drug. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration reports that Flakka had no reported cases in 2010 but had more than 670 in 2014, the last year for which statistics are available. The Fort Lauderdale police department, recognizing the outbreak of the drug, has created a special task force specifically designed to coordinate its activities with federal agencies on stopping the drug’s spread. In New York City, hospitals are reportedly admitting more than 150 patients per week, according to WPIX-TV news.

Controlling Flakka's Spread

Beyond the psychotic reactions of users, the problem with Flakka is how easy it is to overdose on the drug. Because dosages are difficult to estimate with crystals because of the varying quality of the drug and its easy transition from eating to smoking, it is hard for users to know what they are getting. The high can last for several hours or can last as little as one hour. That creates a powerful incentive to use more, and there are early signs that neurological damage and the addictive nature of the drug can lead to taking more in a short period. Just a minor error in dosage can be the difference between getting high and dying, according to one health official.