Crackdown on Synthetic Drugs in Missouri

November 22, 2012

Crackdown on Synthetic Drugs in Missouri

Synthetic drugs present a problem to government regulation and can often have very adverse effects on the human body. Because of the dangers, law enforcement officers and lawmakers are working to get the products out of head shops. To regulate the problem, several areas, including Missouri, are working on crackdowns with hopes to get the products off of the market once and for all.

Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drugs are basically substances that contain chemicals very similar to those in traditional illegal drugs. The synthetic effect of being high is also extremely similar to a high produced from an illegal drug.

There is much more uncertainty with synthetic drugs, however. Because the products are so new to the market, there are no long-term studies to show how these drugs will react with the body over time. They could potentially be more dangerous than illegal drugs on the market. The distribution and possession of synthetic drugs also reflects more uncertainty as the law changes to catch up with new chemical compositions of the drugs.

Many people get the wrong impression that synthetic drugs are safe because they are sold in head shops instead of the streets, but this perception is false. Experts worry that some synthetic drugs may have stronger effects than traditional illegal drugs, with unknown consequences. In 2011, for example, poison control centers received 3,200 phone calls from those who had bad reactions to synthetic drugs. This number has more than doubled so far in 2012.

The Recent Crackdown

A recent crackdown took place over six states, Missouri included. During this crackdown more than $36 million dollars was seized and 91 people were arrested. A total of five million packets of synthetic drugs were also seized in the crackdown. Officials recognize synthetic drugs as a serious issue, and therefore more crackdowns are likely in the future.

Difficulty with Enforcement

Although the government is working to crackdown on those selling these potentially dangerous drugs, lawmakers are unable to keep up. The products are easily altered and sometimes the drugs are created in a way that avoid the regulation of the law. New formulas are constantly being created and authorities are unable to keep up with the constant changes.

These constant changes make it difficult for many because they may be unaware the product they are buying or selling is illegal. Individuals who sell and possess synthetic drugs may be subject to drug charges. An experienced criminal defense attorney is familiar with federal and state drug laws. If you face drug charges related to synthetic drugs, contact a criminal defense attorney to protect your legal rights.

Article provided by The Law Offices of John M. Lynch, LLC
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