Lawmaker Moves to Ban 'N-Bomb' Drug After Incident Involving Westford Teen

State Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord, announced this week that she filed a bill that would ban “NBOMe,” a synthetic drug that authorities have recently encountered in Westford and surrounding towns.

The drug is known as “N-bomb” and “Smiles” and produces effects similar to LSD.

In May 2013, a Westford teenager ingested the drug and suffered a medical emergency, according to the Lowell Sun. The teen fought officers who tried to help him.

The drug is banned under federal law but currently it’s not regulated in Massachusetts. Atkins’ bill would classify it as a Class B drug—the same classification for LSD, cocaine, and amphetamines.

U.S. authorities first reported encountering NBOMe in June 2011. The drug has been blamed for nineteen deaths involving overdoses or ”violent or unsafe behavior,” according to federal statistics.

In Middlesex County, police have found the drug while responding to incidents in Concord, Chelmsford, and Acton.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan supports Atkins’ bill.

“Most young people are unaware of how lethal this hallucinogen is or the number of deaths that have already been linked to NBOMe,” Ryan said in a statement. “What makes these compounds so dangerous is they are cheap to buy and small doses, measured in micrograms, can be incredibly harmful. The power of these chemicals has a tremendous impact, more than LSD in some cases. And this drug can take many forms: pills, powder, liquid drops and colorful paper blotter tabs.”

Police officials said they are investigating how the drug has been distributed in Middlesex County.

“This is a dangerous drug,” Concord Police Chief Joseph O’Connor said in a statement.

Photo: The drug known as “N-bomb.” Credit: unodc.org