Iowa City stores popular spot for teens to buy synthetic drugs

Iowa City is quickly becoming a top supplier of synthetic drugs to juveniles from across Eastern Iowa, according to police.

“We're having carloads of juveniles showing up from Burlington or Fort Madison at two, three in the morning, coming here to buy (synthetic drugs),” said Iowa City polic Sgt. Paul Batcheller.

Legal synthetic substances are sold at a handful of downtown businesses, under names such as “Bizzaro.”

At least one business that sells synthetics stays open 24 hours. Last year the federal government banned the sale of the popular drug K2, but drug producers have found a loophole in the system allowing them to legally produce similar blends, according to police.

“We have to approach those (under the influence) with extreme caution, like you'd approach someone on LSD,” Batcheller said.

Packaging on the labels often brands the products as incense, but police think 100 percent of buyers are smoking the substance to get high.

Police have cited youth as young as 13 for curfew violations after being discovered in downtown buying synthetic drugs in the middle of the night.

“(Kids) came up from Mount Pleasant, sneaked out, their parents didn't know they were up here,” Lt. Mike Brotherton said about a recent encounter at 3 a.m. with a group of young buyers.

While there is no law requiring people to be 18 to buy the product, some businesses refuse to sell to minors.

Data from MECCA Services, a substance abuse center in Iowa City, shows that more teens are admitting to using synthetic drugs.

More than 4 percent of adolescents surveyed by the center this year reported using synthetic drugs. That compares to just more than 1 percent in 2011 and 2012.

“There are reports of permanent facial tics being reported, and we really don't know what this is doing to a young person's mind long-term,” said Steve Steine, a clinical coordinator at MECCA.

Amy Sorensen, a teacher whose daughter is struggling with an addiction to synthetic drugs, started the group “Iowans Against Synthetics” in response to the sudden popularity of the drugs.

The group protested against the sale of synthetics outside of The Den in Iowa City.

“I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you can buy this stuff,” said Sorensen, who lives in Coralville.

“Kids think it's OK to buy this stuff.”