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Teens Now Getting High Off 'Digital Drugs'

By Adrianna Iwasinski, NEWS 9

MUSTANG, Oklahoma – I-dosing on "digital drugs" is becoming an alarming new trend amongst teens.

Web sites are luring kids with free downloads of "digital drugs," which are audio files designed to induce drug-like effects. The sites claim it is a safe and legal way to get high, but parents fear it could lead to illegal drug use.

Videos of teenagers trying digital drugs are all over YouTube, leaving parents, educators and law enforcement officials with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs concerned.

"Kids are going to flock to these sites just to see what it is about and it can lead them to other places," said OBNDD spokesperson Mark Woodward.

The digital drugs use binaural or two-toned technology to alter your brainwaves and mental state.

"Well it's just scary, definitely scary. Just one more thing to look out for," said parent Kelly Johnson.

Recently Mustang Public Schools sent out a letter warning parents about the new trend after several high school students reported having physiological effects after trying one of these digital downloads. Students and graduates are still talking about it.

"I heard it was like some weird demons and stuff through an iPod and he was like freaking out," said Mustang High School student Meghan Edwards.

"People do need to be concerned about it. It's not just something that should be overlooked," said Shelbi Reed, Mustang High School graduate.

"We had never come across anything like this and anything that is going to cause these physiological effects in a student, that causes us concern," said Shannon Rigsby, Mustang Public Schools Communication Officer.

Mustang schools are doing what they can to put a stop to it, including cracking down on the use of cell phone and other technology while on campus.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics said parental awareness is key to preventing future problems, since I-dosing could indicate a willingness to experiment with drugs.

"So that's why we want parents to be aware of what sites their kids are visiting and not just dismiss this as something harmless on the computer," Woodward said. "If you want to reach these kids, save these kids and keep these kids safe, parents have to be aware. They've got to take action."

Another concern the OBN has is that many of these I-dosing sites lure visitors to actual drug and drug paraphernalia sites.