Madigan convenes summit to address synthetic drugs

By RHYS SAUNDERS GateHouse News Service Posted Nov 09, 2011 @ 07:56 PM
SPRINGFIELD — Synthetic drugs, a burgeoning problem in Illinois, are prompting Attorney General Lisa Madigan to convene an emergency summit today.

Police, medical personnel and parents are among those who will discuss how to eradicate and educate people about the dangers of synthetic marijuana and so-called “bath salts.” The summit will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway.

Synthetic drugs have become popular among teens and early 20-somethings because the substances are legal and often undetectable in drug tests, according to Madigan. However, hospitalizations and calls to poison control centers due to bad reactions are skyrocketing.

“We’re seeing this rash of young people who either smoke fake marijuana or are taking bath salts and are ending up in emergency rooms because the physical reactions they’re having are not what they ever intended,” Madigan said.

Link