Black Mamba, Bliss and Bombay Blue: Who Knows What These Are?

Three Des Moines area high school students were hospitalized recently after smoking synthetic marijuana (K2) and becoming sick.  The state crime lab is currently evaluating the substance to determine if it is on the list of banned chemicals or if this is a new and just as dangerous form of the drug.

The drug, K2, and other synthetic drugs are sold under many different names according to The Partnership at Drugfree.org. The names include; Blaze, Genie, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, and Bliss. This is by no means an exhaustive list of names and new ones are coming out on a monthly basis.

Those who use K2 have reported many of the following symptoms:

• vomiting
• seizures
• increased agitation
• lack of pain response
• uncontrolled/spastic body movements 
• elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and palpitations.

Countless people have been sent to the hospital after smoking various forms of synthetic drugs and some have even died.

The legislature passed a law which banned K2, salvia, and “bath salts” effective in July of 2011. While the ban has been effective, there is more work to be done to protect Iowans from these dangerous and sometimes deadly synthetic drugs.

The House Public Safety Committee has passed a bill that is designed to combat the fast changing chemicals used in these drugs. The bill is full of chemical mixes that K2 producers have been using to skirt the current state law. Several groups have worked to ensure this bill puts Iowa on the forefront of the K2 and synthetic drug fight.

There are some who are opposed to the legislation saying that banning these drugs is not the right step and we should not penalize someone for selling, using, or buying them and instead work only on educating people on the danger of these drugs.

While education is critically important, it is not enough in this situation.  Outlawing these dangerous drugs is essential to keeping Iowans safe.

Meet Your Elected Officials

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce partners with Senator Brad Zaun and me, along with officials representing the city, county and Urbandale schools, to offer several opportunities for public input. This year we have four public forums set that will take place at the Chamber Office at 2900 Justin Drive, Suite L. Please join us on:

Saturday, March 31 - 10:30 am to noon.

Saturday, April 28 - 10:30 am to noon.