Supervisor Promotes Synthetic Drugs Ban in RivCo

By City News Service:

A plan to ban the distribution of illegal synthetic drugs in Riverside County moved forward this week under a proposal submitted by Supervisor Chuck Washington.

In a 5-0 vote without comment on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors directed the Office of County Counsel to draw up an ordinance intended to clamp down on sales of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones.

"Reports of extremely violent reactions from the abuse of illicit synthetic drugs have resulted, in the most extreme instances, in hallucinations, psychotic episodes, aggression, suicidal and homicidal ideations, self-mutilation and death," according to a statement released by Washington's office. "Most concerning, illicit synthetic drugs are primarily marketed to young people, with reports of the drugs being sold from ice cream trucks, gas stations and convenience stores."

Washington said the drugs are often touted as "healthier" and cheaper alternatives to naturally grown products, going by innocuous names such as "bath salts, spice (and) herbal incense."

According to the supervisor, synthetics can be difficult to regulate because manufacturers need only make a few chemical adjustments to bypass state and federal prohibitions. A county ordinance could fill the regulatory gap, he said.

Local laws regulating the distribution, sale and possession of synthetic drugs have been enacted in Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego and San Luis Obispo counties, according to Washington.

The board requested that the Riverside County Code Enforcement Department, District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department coordinate with county attorneys in drafting the proposed ordinance.

The proposal will likely be introduced before the end of the current fiscal year and will be the subject of several public hearings before the board takes action on it.

(Image courtesy of Supervisor Chuck Washington's Facebook page)