Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that he hopes makes it easier to stop the importation and distribution of synthetic drugs.
One of the nagging problems facing law enforcement as it fights the synthetic drug epidemic is the time it takes to make a particular drug illegal. It takes years to get on the federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s Schedule A list of banned substances, and by then, dealers have tweaked the chemical compound enough to avoid arrest and prosecution.
Katko’s proposed legislation would dramatically reduce that turnaround time.
"Thirty days after identifying a chemical compound, it’s on the list. DEA puts out a list on a temporary basis, and eventually it becomes permanent,” Katko said at an event in Syracuse Monday.
Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler says it’ll help on a local level by allowing authorities to go after drug dealers with more severe charges.
“We can likely make an arrest, but we can only go so far. In making an arrest, we are limited as to what we can charge this person with. Once these substances are scheduled, then we can charge them with distribution,” Fowler said.
Synthetic drugs mimic street drugs like marijuana, cocaine and LSD, and can be just as potent and deadly.
Katko says he is optimistic the bill will be passed, noting it has bipartisan support in both the House, as does a version in the Senate.
