Politics & Government

Michigan House Approves Bills to Get Synthetic Drugs off Streets

The bill allows Michigan State Police to remove synthetic drugs from stores across the state effective July 1.

Michigan law enforcement and health officials can quickly remove dangerous synthetic drugs from store shelves under legislation approved Thursday by the Michigan House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 1082, is part of a package that allows the state to quickly identify and eliminate illegal mind-altering products no matter what name or form they take by temporarily categorizing the products as a controlled substance.

"It's deplorable that young people who can't buy cigarettes can walk into a convenience store or gas station and purchase synthetic drugs," said state Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township.  “These products are incredibly dangerous, and we must make a concerted effort to get them off the market as quickly as possible."

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The drugs contain strong stimulants that can cause increased heart rate, chest pains, dizziness, delusions, panic attacks, nose bleeding and nausea. Patients ingesting these chemicals can be extremely paranoid and may not respond to usual calmatives. Some individuals have been involved in homicides and suicides while under the influence. Severe cases may require long-term psychiatric care.

The drugs have been linked to recent criminal activity both in Michigan and in the United States. 

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"Washtenaw County business owners, officials and parents must continue to work together to protect our communities, and especially our young people," Ouimet said. "The more we raise public awareness about how unsafe these drugs are, the less likely they will impact our communities."

The legislative package lists chemical classifications that are prohibited and grants authority to the Michigan State Police to remove those drugs from stores effective July 1 if businesses haven’t already done so.


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