Synthetic Drug Ban Signed By Astorino

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Joined by a bi-partisan group of Westchester lawmakers and fourth grade students from the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School in Rye Brook, County Executive Robert P. Astorino signed a law Thursday banning the sale and possession of synthetics drugs. The law identifies some of the most common hallucinogenic substances found in products, commonly known as K2, fake weed and synthetic marijuana. It imposes civil penalties of $500 for the first offense and $2,000 for a second offense.

“Synthetic drugs are cheap, potent, available and even marketed as a safe alternative to drugs,” Astorino said. “We know these chemically concocted drugs pose a serious threat to our communities and that we must face this challenge head-on.”

Synthetic drugs are particularly dangerous, according to a county spokesman, because they are often marketed over the counter to teenagers and people living in poorer communities as tobacco, herbs, incense, spice and potpourri, yet contain hallucinogenic chemicals, substances and agents that are made in laboratories to mimic the active ingredients of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs. In recent years, K2 has been packaged as a number of brand names such as Spice, Red Giant, Smacked, iBlown, Trippy and Green Giant Scooby Snax.

Law enforcement and health professionals report that users can be irrational, violent or suicidal — and sometimes found in a “zombielike” state. While K2 is already illegal in New York State, manufacturers try to circumvent the law by changing the mix of chemicals in these products.

The Board of Legislators unanimously passed the bill May 8, after it received feedback from members of law enforcement, including Westchester County Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth and representatives of both the Yonkers and Mount Vernon Police Departments.

Fourth grade students from Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School in Rye Brook were on hand for the bill signing as part of a day where they learned about the legislative process and how a bill becomes a law.

The law is being implemented by amending the “Consumer Protection Code” to restrict the sale and possession of synthetic drugs. It has support from public safety, health professionals and bi-partisan support from lawmakers.

The legislation was co-sponsored by Legislators David Tubiolo, R-Yonkers, John Testa, R-Peekskill, and Virginia Perez, D-Yonkers.

Signing of this law follows the announcement of the county executive’s initiative to combat the growing opioid epidemic in the county. Called Project W.O.R.T.H.Y. — Westchester Opioid Response Teams Helping Youth — the program builds response teams made up of law enforcement, health and mental health experts, parents, teachers, coaches, clergy and youth who work together to find practical and preventative solutions to opioid abuse in Westchester County.

“We must fight this growing epidemic on a number of fronts,” Astorino said. “The work ahead is tough because the enemy is strong and constantly adapting.”

Photo caption: County Executive Robert P. Astorino signing the synthetic drug ban into law. From left, Legislators John Testa, R-Peekskill, Virginia Perez, D-Yonkers, David Tubiolo, R-Yonkers, and David Gelfarb, R-Rye Brook. Students from left: Alexandra Maniscalco, Sasha Dluzhevskiy, Alexander Colucci and Rocco Brunetti. Photo credit: Westchester County.