Sheriff's Office Unveils New Program to Identify Synthetic Drug-Free Stores
Store owners or managers must sign a document stating that the products will never be sold at the location.
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Think just because you can buy it legally at a convenience store, it's harmless? The sheriff's office wants you to think again.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new program Friday to inform citizens about synthetic drug-free stores to help reduce the sales of these products in the community.
Sheriff Chris Nocco was joined by a group of community leaders at the Suncoast Mobile Gas Station, 16055 State Road 52 in Land O' Lakes, to introduce the new sticker program designed to alert customers to stores that do not sell synthetic drugs, which are comprised of a cocktail of toxic chemicals.
“This is the new wave of drugs,” Nocco said. “We are dealing with a very dangerous drug out there.”
Despite a state bill passed that banned certain chemicals, the manufacturers of the drugs continue to change the chemical makeup of the products to skirt the law, Nocco said.
Law enforcement will test products and they do not contain the banned substances, however the effects are still the same.
After working for years to shut down pill mills and get a handle on the abuse of prescription drugs, “now we find another crisis on our hands,” Sen. Mike Fasano said.
We continue to pass legislation to make these compounds illegal and as soon as the law is passed, they come up with a new compound,” Fasano said.
Fasano said he would like to see the state take emergency action to make it easier to ban new compounds as soon as they show up in the marketplace, rather than wait for the legislature to reconvene.
“We cannot do this alone,” Nocco said. Community leaders and activists are working together to inform the public, and especially parents and children, about the dangers of synthetic drugs such as Spice and bath salts.
“Lives are at stake here and we’re not going to tolerate it any longer,” Fasano said.
The Suncoast Mobile gas station and convenience store was the first to receive a sticker for display on its door that reads in part, "Synthetic Drugs Kill - These Drugs Are NOT Sold Here."
To receive the sticker, store owner Paul Jallo signed a letter of agreement provided by the sheriff's office stating that the store will not sell the items.
Find out how your store can get involved.
See also:
Former Spice User Speaks Out Against Sale of Synthetic Drugs
Business Owners Invited to Join Sheriff's Campaign Against Synthetic Drugs
Rene Van Hout
9:31 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Let's all come together and boycott any business that sells synthetic drugs. Hurt them where they will feel it most, their pockets!
John Aosta
10:20 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Great Job Rene, A business owner trying to hurt other business owners? How about telling the owners of these stores it is not acceptable and give them a chance to remove items before sacking them for good and hurting the employees that work there, it is wrong to sell that stuff, but they at least should have legitimate opportunity to get on board with Sheriff Nocco program and change their ways. Do you tell the people that you are moving that you need to check and see if they have spice in their boxes before moving them?? Are you a SPICE free moving company, I didn't see any stickers on your vehicle.