Supporting Legislation Prohibiting or Controlling Synthetic Stimulants
Submitted by: Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Committee
ndd.012.A11

WHEREAS, synthetic stimulants are sold over the Internet and at retail locations as legal alternatives tocontrolled substances such as cocaine, amphetamine and Ecstasy; and

WHEREAS, synthetic cocaine and methamphetamine-like substances are commonly sold as 'bath salts'or 'plant food;' and

WHEREAS, these synthetic compounds are falsely marketed as "not for human consumption" or "fornovelty use only," and contain a variety of stimulants, including Mephedrone andMethylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV); and

WHEREAS, these stimulants have become a serious drug abuse problem and have increased both thethreat to public safety and the commission of crime, to include vehicular accidents, suicide and homicide;and

WHEREAS, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported in June 2011 that poisoncontrol centers in the U.S. fielded more than 2,371 calls as of May 31, 2011 regarding 'bath salts', whichwas a marked increased from the 302 calls received in 2010; and

WHEREAS, neither Mephedrone nor MDPV have been approved for any known medical use in theUnited States; and

WHEREAS, unregulated synthetic stimulants that mimic the effect of illicit controlled substances areoften chemically formulated in a manner that prevents traffickers from being prosecuted under Federaland State drug analogue provisions; and

WHEREAS, numerous states have banned, or are considering banning, a variety of synthetic stimulantsthat include those banned by DEA as well as Mephedrone and MDPV. Local and state laws, such asthose from Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, NorthDakota, Oregon, West Virginia, and Washington, include chemicals not currently under federal ban andare readily enforceable against smaller scale distributers by local and state law enforcement agencies;now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), duly assembled at its 118thAnnual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, strongly supports state and federal legislation banning syntheticstimulants that mimic the effects of illicit controlled substances when used for human consumption.