CITY HEARS INFO ON SYNTHETIC DRUGS

Ordinances passed

Lamar Police Chief Brian Phillips is concerned.

The synthetic drug JWH018, which is known as K-2, Colorado Chronic or
Spice, is being sold in Lamar and the potential misuse of the drug,
which is marketed as incense at local convenience stores, could be
deadly.

"This stuff is being sold over the counter. A 10-year-old could buy
it," Phillips told the Lamar City Council on Monday night.

The creator of JWH018 said the only reason it was created was
specifically so people could get high, Phillips said.

Kansas has already banned K2, he said.

The incense, which has different names, is being sold with a statement
that it is not for human consumption.

However, young people all over Colorado have been ingesting the
substance, which reacts similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Some have been hospitalized after taking the drug, needing IV fluids
to bring their heart rates down.

The drug is three to five times more powerful than THC, Phillips
said.

"I don`t think the parents really realize what this is," he
said.

Parents who see the substance in their child`s bedroom or other places
should be made aware of what it is being used for, he said.

Most of the time it is not being used as incense, Phillips
said.

The substance looks like marijuana and K-9`s have alerted to it when
it is found in a vehicle.

The drug is popular because it cannot be detected with a standard
urinalysis, he said.

There is a company that can test for the drug, Phillips
said.

There has been one possible case in Prowers County of a person going
to the hospital because of use of the drug.

"Kids are going to the hospital, for crying out loud. That`s scary,"
Phillips said.

There have been other cases in Colorado in which people have been
taken to the hospital because of use of the drug.

The Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center has had over 10 reports of
teens ending up in emergency rooms after smoking K2, since January.

Smoking the drug can elevate heart rate, cause sleepiness, elevate
blood pressure, cause confusion, irritation and dilate pupils.

If a person has the substance in their vehicle and they are stopped by
law enforcement, K2 looks enough like marijuana, the traffic stop
could escalate into a drug interdiction, even though the substance is
legal, Phillips said.

Phillips said a major concern is those who drive while under the
influence of K2, or operate a rig.

Even though K2 isn`t illegal, the substance causes impairment, the
same as marijuana.

"It`s my intention to talk to Garth (Nieschburg)," Phillips said,
continuing that he intended to see if there could be an ordinance to
ban the sale or use of K2 in Lamar.

In additional business, Council approved on second reading ordinances
prohibiting the operation of medical marijuana centers, optional
premises cultivation operations and medical marijuana manufacturers in
the City of Lamar.

Council also approved on second reading an amendment to the Municipal
Code, relating to drug paraphernalia.

Council members said they had received comments from residents of
Lamar, stating that the residents had concerns about the new ordinances.

Mayor Roger Stagner asked if anyone was present to speak to those
concerns, but no one was.

The ordinances passed unanimously.