Hello everyone,
I wanted to let you know about one of the many things I've been working on since the legislature adjourned in May.
This session, I was appointed to the select subcommittee on Synthetic Drugs. Our committee is tasked with working to understand this growing problem and try to find practical solutions with the input of the law enforcement community to stem the growing wave of synthetic drug use in our state.
My 25 years of paramedic experience have uniquely equipped me for this job, and I was humbled to have been chosen to serve on this committee.
Synthetic Drugs, also known as "designer drugs", are chemical impostors of other real life drugs. Back alley chemists and illegal labs produce chemical compounds that mimic the effects of known drugs, often with devastating results.
Many of these illegal labs are located in other countries and their products are shipped into the United States. They are able to avoid the law by labeling their products as “not to be used for human consumption".
Synthetic drugs can be smoked, snorted, eaten or injected. They are often sold and packaged as bath salts, incense, or plant foods. The most common ones are synthetic marijuana and synthetic stimulants.
Many people are familiar with their street names such as K2, Spice, Saliva and Bliss. In fact there are dozens of catchy names for these products. They are often found in attractive packaging that resembles candy wrappers.
The use of these drugs is an increasing problem in colleges, high schools and junior high schools. At this time, the greatest uses of these drugs are outside of the metro. Rural areas and outlying cites such as Winona, Bemidji and Duluth are experiencing dramatic increases in the use of synthetic drugs.
A few quick facts:
1. Why are synthetic drugs so dangerous?
There is no quality control when they are manufactured.
Each batch could be different than the last. Many of the chemical combinations are new and their effects are not known on humans.
Synthetic drugs are extremely toxic and can cause immediate death, seizures, coma, vomiting, violent outbursts and hallucinations.
They can also cause immediate and permanent brain damage. In fact, many synthetic drugs are more deadly and addictive than meth.
2. How are these drugs being sold?
They are often sold in small specialty shops, gas stations, the internet and music stores.
They are often sold as bath salts, incense or as plant food.
3. Why are they so popular?
Synthetic drugs are easy to get and are relatively low in cost. They are considered to be "cool" and "sophisticated" thus adding to their allure.
4. Are there laws against this?
Currently there are laws that target specific synthetic designer drugs. However it has turned into a race; As soon as the legal community is able to identify a specific drug, the illegal labs change the formula—just a tiny bit—thus making it a different product with a slightly adjusted chemical makeup. These altered formulas are not, in a technical sense, illegal.
5. What can we do to protect our kids?
Pay attention to what they are doing. If your kids are "just burning incense" or are purchasing "bath salts" then inspect the packaging. You can show the package to any law enforcement officer or call the poison control line to see if it is a synthetic drug. Get immediate help if you suspect that this may be a problem. The most common sign of possible synthetic drug use is increased unexplainable agitation or paranoia.
6. What is currently being done to correct this problem?
Right now, our synthetic drug subcommittee is part of a special task force that is focused on doing everything we can to stop this problem.
We will be meeting throughout the rest of the year to hammer out a multi-faceted plan of attack - bringing everything to the table.
We will then be crafting legislation that will give law enforcement the tools they need to combat this growing problem. If you have input on this important issue, I hope you'll share your thoughts and suggestions with me by contacting my office at 651-296-2451 or by email at rep.jim.newberger@house.mn.
Our kids are worth it.
God's peace,
Your State Representative,
Jim Newberger