Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Synthesizing Sensible Policy

In the ongoing battle against a faceless frontier of designer drugs, the D.C. Department of Health has made a motion to reclassify synthetic marijuana as a Schedule I drug, putting it in the same category as hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.

Implicit in this move is a prioritization of public health and safety for those in our community who might be vulnerable to the apparent appeal of synthetic drugs such as “K2” or “spice.” These products, when ingested, often do go undetected by drug tests, and are technically a legal alternative to the authentic counterpart in some jurisdictions, making them popular among youth and adults alike.

The focus on stopping these drugs may speak to a newfound commitment by Department of Health officials to scrub D.C. clean of this blight, but more grassroots steps can also be taken to discourage District residents from partaking in the dangers of synthetic marijuana. D.C.’s “K2/Zombie” campaign makes a valiant effort at dissuading people from using synthetic marijuana, but the implication that one will become a zombie upon use of synthetic drugs could be described as cartoonish at best. A more mature, targeted and sincere campaign is necessary to make a larger impact.

Many young people carry a false sense of confidence regarding safety of these substances, due to their legal status and widespread availability. In April 2013, for instance, a 15-year-old from nearby Loudon County, Va., was placed in critical condition after using the drug just one time.

This example is a clear clue that these synthetics can produce visceral, unintended and unpredictable reactions within our bodies. Added to that is the fact that these designer drugs are far from regulated, and are not manufactured bearing the user’s health in mind. In fact, substances like K2 and Spice are the brainchild of backroom chemists (in the vein of “Breaking Bad”) who circumvent drug laws by synthesizing chemical compounds that are unrecognized by law enforcement but still produce a profitable — and dangerous — high.

As the history of drug bans have taught us, illegalization is not the end-all, be-all of effective drug policy. If D.C. does not want synthetic marijuana to be popular anymore, it will have to work for it.

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