HEARING ADVISORY: Crime Subcommittee to Examine Dangers of Synthetic Drugs

Washington, D.C.  – On Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine the growing problem of synthetic drugs in the United States, including those sold commercially. Designer synthetic drugs are often marketed as herbal incense, bath salts, jewelry cleaner, or plant food, and have caused significant abuse, addiction, emergency room visits, and even fatalities. Those who have abused synthetic drugs have suffered serious health impairments and even death. Synthetic drugs have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults and those who mistakenly believe they can bypass the drug testing protocols of employers and government agencies.  They are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in “head shops,” and over the Internet. However, they have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption or for medical use, and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process.  Additionally, though these drugs can be scheduled either legislatively or through an administrative process, those processes can be lengthy and illicit synthetic drug manufacturers may, in the interim, change the chemical composition of their drugs to skirt the law. Witnesses for the hearing are:

• Mr. Louis J. Milione, Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
• Mr. William Smith, Jr., Officer, Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
• Mr. Devin Eckhardt, Father of Connor Eckhardt
• Dr. David Nichols. Adjunct Professor of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Below is a statement from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) on the hearing.

Chairman Goodlatte: “Synthetic drugs pose a real danger to communities across the United States and we must examine the many issues that contribute to this growing problem. At this week’s Crime Subcommittee hearing, we will hear from law enforcement as well as a father who lost his son to synthetic drugs so that we can determine how best to combat this growing problem plaguing the United States.”

This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at /. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally-credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.