SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- U.S. Representative John Katko (R-N.Y.)--joined by Onondaga County, N.Y., District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick and local law enforcement, healthcare and treatment service providers and prevention advocates--has announced that he has introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4229, the Protecting Our Youth From Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act, which would make it easier to prosecute the sale and distribution of synthetic drugs.
Central New York has seen a stark increase in the distribution and use of synthetic drugs. While Congress took action in 2012 to outlaw several synthetic drugs, manufacturers and distributors of these substances are able to slightly alter the chemical structure of drugs to circumvent this law and avoid law enforcement scrutiny and prosecution.
Current laws are not keeping up with the producers of these poisonous substances, he said, and consequently, substances designed to mimic the effects of LSD, Ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana and other hard drugs are sold openly at convenience stores, gas stations, head shops and other outlets, and they give some users the impression that they are not as dangerous as other, illegal substances.
The Protecting Our Youth From Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Act would:
- Establish an inter-agency committee of experts, headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which would be responsible for establishing and maintaining an administrative list of synthetic drugs or controlled substance analogues. The committee would be structured so that it could respond quickly and robustly to the threat.
- Prevent the importation of synthetic drugs without express approval.
- Direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review, and if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines.
Katko, who served as an organized crime and drug prosecutor for more than 20 years, said, “This legislation will help this effort by giving law enforcement and prosecutors the flexibility that they need to crack down on the manufacturers and sellers of these substances.”
Katko and Fitzpatrick have committed to partnering on a state and federal level to address the problem in both in a legislative and prosecutorial manner.
"The scourge of synthetic drugs has destroyed lives in communities across the country, including ours. Responding to the waves of this poison inundating central New York over the last several years has been particularly challenging for law enforcement and local governments,” said Fitzpatrick. “During that time, I have advocated for federal laws to adequately address those challenges. It took someone with John Katko's background and experience to understand the deadly nature of this problem. He listened and as he has already shown in his short time in Congress, he acted. This legislation is smart, timely and badly needed. I applaud the efforts of Congressman Katko and I urge his colleagues in Congress act swiftly."
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.