Members of the North Coastal Prevention Youth Coalition (NCPYC) will be assessing various retailers in Vista, Oceanside, and Carlsbad to see if they are following the request of local law enforcement agencies to stop selling synthetic drug products such as Spice, K2 and bath salts. In early June, the Vista Sheriff’s Station, Oceanside Police Department, and Carlsbad Police Department sent letters to over 200 retailers asking for their cooperation in reducing the availability of these drugs due to their potential dangers.
On July 20, 2011 beginning at 4:00 pm at Valero Gas Station in Oceanside (3954 Mission Ave.), NCPYC members will review merchandise for sale at local retailers who may be selling synthetic drugs. Retailers who are not selling them will be thanked. Retailers who are selling them will be presented with the letter from law enforcement, informed of the health and safety risks of synthetic drugs, and encouraged to stop selling these products, which were placed on the federal Controlled Substance Act List as a Schedule I drug as having a high potential for abuse earlier this year. On March 1, 2011 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a final order published in the Federal Register (76 Fed. Reg. 11075).
NCPYC youth are very passionate about this issue. "I really want to get synthetic drugs off the market," stated Michael Redman, a youth leader of NCPYC. "It’s sad to see so many people are getting hooked to this drug. I can’t believe they can just go buy them at a store."
Synthetic drugs come packaged in small plastic jars or foil bags with names such as "K2," "Spice," "Yucatan Fire," "Blueberry Mamba," "Genie," etc. and are sold in liquor and convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops, and head shops.
Use of synthetic drugs continues to grow and has been linked to adverse effects such as panic attacks, heart palpitations, respiratory complications, aggression, mood swings, altered perception, and paranoia (Medical News Today, NMS Labs Now Performs Urine Tests For Metabolites Of Synthetic Cannabinoids Found In K2 And Spice).