Odessa City Council Is Considering A Ban On Synthetic Drugs
By: Matthew Farrell
Updated: January 22, 2013
ODESSA -- Tammy Smith is the mother of a teen in Ector County ISD.
She knows first hand the troubles of synthetic drugs.
Her son got hooked on the substances 2 years ago.
She knows first hand the troubles of synthetic drugs.
Her son got hooked on the substances 2 years ago.
"We have a dog in this fight. We have someone very close and dear to our heart in rehab right now and who is fighting this fight," Smith told us.
Smith says her son was using the substances between every class at one point, and he wasn't the only one.
She explained how difficult it can be for teachers to spot those using these drugs, saying that the high from these drugs only lasts about 15 minutes, and most kids do it between classes and teachers never suspect the drug usage.
Smith attended the Odessa City Council meeting Tuesday night to plead her case to the council and to try and influence their decision about a possible ban.
Before the meeting began, the council discussed the issue in a briefing session.
"We talked about the legal ramifications of banning Synthetic Marijuana. This stuff is poison and it's hurting our kids," Odessa Mayor David Turner said.
Turner and City Manager Richard Morton say it would be difficult to enforce such a ban.
"Well the problem, like I said, is testing. You can outlaw one, and they change the name, change the chemicals and it's an entirely new product and that's the problem we're running into," Turner continued.
As for Smith, she just wants to see the drugs banned, so more adolescents aren't tormented the way her son has been.
Mayor Turner told us that the city of Odessa will be in talks with State Senator Kel Seliger and State Representative Tryon Lewis to figure out what is being done with this issue at the state level.
Odessa city leaders also want to see if more money can be used for testing for these drugs.
The draft of the city ordinance is still being reviewed by City Attorney Larry Long.
Smith says her son was using the substances between every class at one point, and he wasn't the only one.
She explained how difficult it can be for teachers to spot those using these drugs, saying that the high from these drugs only lasts about 15 minutes, and most kids do it between classes and teachers never suspect the drug usage.
Smith attended the Odessa City Council meeting Tuesday night to plead her case to the council and to try and influence their decision about a possible ban.
Before the meeting began, the council discussed the issue in a briefing session.
"We talked about the legal ramifications of banning Synthetic Marijuana. This stuff is poison and it's hurting our kids," Odessa Mayor David Turner said.
Turner and City Manager Richard Morton say it would be difficult to enforce such a ban.
"Well the problem, like I said, is testing. You can outlaw one, and they change the name, change the chemicals and it's an entirely new product and that's the problem we're running into," Turner continued.
As for Smith, she just wants to see the drugs banned, so more adolescents aren't tormented the way her son has been.
Mayor Turner told us that the city of Odessa will be in talks with State Senator Kel Seliger and State Representative Tryon Lewis to figure out what is being done with this issue at the state level.
Odessa city leaders also want to see if more money can be used for testing for these drugs.
The draft of the city ordinance is still being reviewed by City Attorney Larry Long.
Readers Feel...
hello
©1998 - 2013 Permianbasin360.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved