CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – 202.727.5011; [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Tomorrow at 12 pm, Mayor Muriel Bowser, joined by Councilmembers, law enforcement and regulatory officials, will sign into law the “Sale of Synthetic Drugs Emergency Amendment Act of 2015.” This new legislation authorizes the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and the District government as a whole to take swifter and stronger action against businesses that sell synthetic drugs, which are illegal in DC.
District government agencies have recently seen a dangerous spike in synthetic drug overdoses and possibly some crimes associated with the use of synthetic drugs. These illegal products are potent hallucinogens that have been found for sale at some retail establishments, such as liquor stores and gas stations, and are frequently packaged under brand names such as K2, Scooby Snax, Bizzaro, or Spice. The effects of consuming these products can include a severely altered mental state, anxiety, paranoia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even death.
In response to the recent increase in drug overdoses, the Bowser Administration introduced emergency legislation in June to the Council of the District of Columbia to give law enforcement and regulatory officials more authority to penalize businesses caught selling synthetic drugs.
WHEN:
Friday at 12 pm
WHO:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Members of the Council of the District of Columbia
Rashad Young, City Administrator
Cathy Lanier, Chief, Metropolitan Police Department
Edward Mills III, Acting Assistant Fire Chief, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Melinda Bolling, Acting Director, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Director, Department of Health
Dr. Barbara Bazron, Interim Director, Department of Behavioral Health
WHERE:
John A. Wilson Building
Room G-9
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
*Closest Metros: Federal Triangle and Metro Center Metro Stations*
Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected]
Social Media:
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser Website: mayor.dc.gov