MONROE - With growing concern about synthetic cannibinoids or "fake" drugs, city lawmakers are looking at updating Monroe's existing drug ordinance.
The new ordinance would comply with the updated state statue that lists illegal synthetic cannibinoids. Monroe Chief of Police Fred Kelley said the new ordinance will allow officers to charge a person with possession of synthetic cannibinoids under either the state statue or the city ordinance.
Under the current ordinance, the burden in court is on the city rather than the state; "the burden is less on the city under the new ordinance," Kelley said.
With drug paraphernalia and synthetic cannibinoids for sale at businesses in the city, there has been an increase in complaints from city residents over the dangers they pose.
"(City residents) want something to be done," Kelley said.
He said he has received numerous complaints from friends and families of synthetic cannibinoids users who have gotten intoxicated by the drugs they're using.
"The drugs have not done well for them," Kelley said.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic cannibinoids or synthetic cannabis are drugs marketed as a safe alternative to the real version, while giving users the same effect. Popular synthetic cannibinoids include versions of Spice, Bath Salts, Ecstasy, or Marinol, a common drug subscribed to patients with AIDS to increase appetite.
The NIDA added that consumption of these "fake" drugs will most likely cause confusion, depression, sleep, attention, memory problems, a spike in drug craving and anxiety.
Kelley said another form of getting a high is "huffing" or sniffing various household items such as glue and permanent markers.
"(These drugs) aren't designed for human consumption," he said. "It's becoming a health hazard."
While it seems easy to just write an ordinance banning these substances, Kelley warned the drug-makers are always one step ahead of lawmakers.
"It's so easy to change (the drug's) chemical compound," he said.
Drug producers have gone in and changed tiny portions of the original formula to make the illegal drug barely legal, Kelley said.
The current city ordinance allows for officers to write out a municipal fine for anyone possessing an ounce or less or marijuana or drug paraphernalia, rather than facing jail time.
"It's just an easier way to handle the problem," Kelley said.
No change to that part of the ordinance is planned.
A public hearing regarding the city ordinance on possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and synthetic cannibinoids will be at 7:30 p.m. June 16 at City Hall.
The new ordinance would comply with the updated state statue that lists illegal synthetic cannibinoids. Monroe Chief of Police Fred Kelley said the new ordinance will allow officers to charge a person with possession of synthetic cannibinoids under either the state statue or the city ordinance.
Under the current ordinance, the burden in court is on the city rather than the state; "the burden is less on the city under the new ordinance," Kelley said.
With drug paraphernalia and synthetic cannibinoids for sale at businesses in the city, there has been an increase in complaints from city residents over the dangers they pose.
"(City residents) want something to be done," Kelley said.
He said he has received numerous complaints from friends and families of synthetic cannibinoids users who have gotten intoxicated by the drugs they're using.
"The drugs have not done well for them," Kelley said.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic cannibinoids or synthetic cannabis are drugs marketed as a safe alternative to the real version, while giving users the same effect. Popular synthetic cannibinoids include versions of Spice, Bath Salts, Ecstasy, or Marinol, a common drug subscribed to patients with AIDS to increase appetite.
The NIDA added that consumption of these "fake" drugs will most likely cause confusion, depression, sleep, attention, memory problems, a spike in drug craving and anxiety.
Kelley said another form of getting a high is "huffing" or sniffing various household items such as glue and permanent markers.
"(These drugs) aren't designed for human consumption," he said. "It's becoming a health hazard."
While it seems easy to just write an ordinance banning these substances, Kelley warned the drug-makers are always one step ahead of lawmakers.
"It's so easy to change (the drug's) chemical compound," he said.
Drug producers have gone in and changed tiny portions of the original formula to make the illegal drug barely legal, Kelley said.
The current city ordinance allows for officers to write out a municipal fine for anyone possessing an ounce or less or marijuana or drug paraphernalia, rather than facing jail time.
"It's just an easier way to handle the problem," Kelley said.
No change to that part of the ordinance is planned.
A public hearing regarding the city ordinance on possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and synthetic cannibinoids will be at 7:30 p.m. June 16 at City Hall.