Source: Substance Free Future Foundation
Synthetic drugs have been banned in Michigan since July 1, 2012, but it took me less than 5 seconds to Google the phrase ‘buy K2’ and find it readily available on the internet as of today. Within 15 seconds of my K2 internet search I was reading an article on the same website educating me on which blends of synthetic marijuana were legally available to purchase, listed state by state. We have decided not to endorse their website by listing its internet address. Law enforcement is diligently attempting to shut them down, and they have already closed multiple similar synthetic drug sites.
Synthetic drugs have been banned in Michigan since July 1, 2012, but it took me less than 5 seconds to Google the phrase ‘buy K2’ and find it readily available on the internet as of today. Within 15 seconds of my K2 internet search I was reading an article on the same website educating me on which blends of synthetic marijuana were legally available to purchase, listed state by state. We have decided not to endorse their website by listing its internet address. Law enforcement is diligently attempting to shut them down, and they have already closed multiple similar synthetic drug sites.
I’m actually unsure if they should be called dealers because these guys aren’t selling it on street corners. Their website contains over 50 pages and has a Google Page 5 ranking which usually would require the employment of search engine optimization professionals. They are also using professionally designed analytics to track page views, demographics, and content. The site offers ‘live chat’ with ‘online advisors’ and a toll free telephone help line which suggests they have an internal call center or have outsourced the calls to a professional call center. The ‘text us questions’ short code they supply could carry a monthly invoice of $3000 to $10,000. It appears the web design cost for this particular site would most likely run somewhere in the area of $50,000 to design with a maintenance fee that would cost thousands of dollars every month. It’s also pretty obvious they have a high profile legal team.
The point I’m trying to make is synthetic drugs are becoming a monster. The ban has made synthetic drugs illegal in Michigan and the people responsible for the effort behind that law should be commended. Now it’s time to absolutely, positively, work together as a community and take the next steps to enforce the law and educate families and professionals about synthetic drugs. Bath salts and synthetic marijuana are illegal, but that doesn’t mean they are going to disappear anytime soon.
The Synthetic Summit is a collaboration of efforts including Brighton Center For Recovery (formerly Brighton Hospital), Catholic Charities, HSCB Substance Abuse Workgroups, Livingston Community Prevention Project, and Substance Free Future Foundation.
The Synthetic Summit will take place on August 9, 2012 and will be hosted in the gymnasium at Brighton Center For Recovery, 12851 Grand River Road, Brighton.
Professionals Training Session: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(Registration: 8:30 a.m.)
Training will include speakers and presentations from the DEA, law enforcement, hospital staff and treatment/ prevention front line clinicians. Lunch will be provided, registration is required. The cost is $25 in advance / $35 at the door (scholarships available upon request). MCBAP credit hours are approved for this training. To register, visit www.syntheticsummit.org.
Community Session: 6:30-8 p.m.
Parents, students, key leaders and representatives of community groups, government, the judiciary, law enforcement, youth-serving agencies, school districts, higher education, the faith community, business, parent organizations, the medical community, and others concerned about synthetic drugs are welcome to attend the evening session. Refreshments will be served, no RSVP necessary, and free to attend.
No comments:
Post a Comment