Urge passage of synthetic drugs bill

A bill in the Iowa Legislature would help keep law enforcement one step ahead of drug dealers. Unfortunately, the messy process of legislation may kill this chance at protecting our kids and giving authorities another way to fight crime.

Substances marketed with innocent looking labels such as bath salts, spice and K2 can actually be dangerous, addictive and even deadly drugs. But too often, new and ever-evolving substances aren't technically covered under existing laws, and drugmakers and sellers operate with impunity while doing very real harm.

The City of Cedar Rapids recognized this problem and has passed an ordinance that gives police the ability to stop these types of drug deals. The genius of the Cedar Rapids ordinance is that it doesn't try to keep up with the ever-changing chemical makeup of dangerous drugs. Instead, it tackles the problem from a consumer fraud-and-protection approach. The offense occurs when anyone is caught misbranding or false labeling dangerous substances. The ordinance still is relatively new but has started to make a real difference, according to our police chief.

Working with state legislators, together we took the Cedar Rapids model and have developed an approach that would extend this tool to the entire state of Iowa. The Iowa House and Senate have both passed different versions of the bill with broad bipartisan support in each chamber. This measure would help make all Iowa communities be safer places.

Many recognize that these substances represent a public health crisis resulting in numerous emergency room visits, hospitalizations and sometimes death to people who mistakenly believe they are legal and safe.

Virtually no one has disputed how helpful this bill could be. Supporters include police, sheriff's departments, county attorneys, child safety advocates and, frankly, a vast majority of legislators.

And yet, the bill is in peril. Other, more controversial, issues have been added to the bill, clouding its merits and making passage uncertain. A 'clean bill” without other issues involved has already received overwhelming bipartisan support. More important, passage will benefit Iowa and Iowans, making our neighborhoods and our state safer.

This overtime Legislative session has enough days left for common sense to prevail. Contact your legislator and ask them to pass a clean synthetic drug bill today.

' Susie Weinacht is a member of the Cedar Rapids City Council. Comments: SusW1201@gmail.com