Awareness needed in synthetic fight

Relying on a morals ordinance to combat the influx of dangerous synthetic chemicals isn't ideal, but we agree it may currently be the best option for Iowa communities.

The Cedar Rapids City Council voted to give law enforcement the option of fining and criminally charging those who sell synthetic drugs under false pretenses as part of a public peace and morals ordinance.

Retailers will be held accountable if they are caught using verbal or visual false advertising or misbranding. In addition, copycat synthetics labeled as incense, potpourri, plant food or bath salts will need to be sold near the retail price point of the traditional products.

Use of this ordinance will take substances marketed to teens and young adults and proven to be health hazards off store shelves, while saving taxpayers the extra expense of state lab testing.

More than 50 synthetic drug compounds and cannabinoids have been listed as Schedule I controlled substances by the state. Each day, however, manufacturers tweak their recipes to skirt the law.

During 2013, the city of Cedar Rapids answered 119 calls involving synthetic drugs. Seven resulted hospital or other residential treatment, five involved overdose and one resulted in death.

Taxpayers throughout the nation have held the bill for federal storefront raids - some of which have taken place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo and other communities.

Attorney General Tom Miller has used consumer fraud lawsuits to combat synthetic drug sales.

In addition, some of the obstacles that guard against other illicit drug use aren't applicable to synthetics. For instance, routine employment drug screenings often do not test for synthetic compounds, or are cost prohibitive if such tests are included.

Social workers and other health professionals warn, however, that roughly half of all parents and employers remain unaware of these synthetic drugs and their health risks. Too often the demographic they are marketed to are unaware that the chemical formula is often different from packet to packet.

Most uses have no assurance as to what chemicals a packet contains, or how much of each chemical is applied.

We applaud leaders for using all available tools to keep such substances off our streets. To that end, we believe the best use of fines from violators would be awareness campaigns.

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