Velazquez Calls for Federal Effort on K2 Drug

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today wrote the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calling on the agency to take steps to address the effect of the drug “K2” on local communities. The letter comes after 33 people were sent to area hospitals after smoking K2 near the Myrtle Avenue and Broadway intersection.

“The recent rash of hospitalizations in Brooklyn made clear that K2 remains a threat to our neighborhoods,” Velázquez said. “We need action at all levels of government, which is why I’m calling on CDC to dedicate resources specifically to the synthetic cannabinoid problem.”

Velázquez’s letter calls for CDC to study treatment and prevention strategies for K2 and, subsequently, to undertake a national education campaign on the dangers of the substance. The full text of her letter is below.

July 25, 2016

Tom Frieden, MD, MPH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Director
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329

Dear Dr. Frieden:

I am writing to express concern regarding the most recent rash of synthetic marijuana incidents affecting the Myrtle-Broadway area in Brooklyn, New York. This synthetic drug, known colloquially as “Spice” or “K2,” is particularly potent and has unfortunately continued to gain popularity throughout the five boroughs of New York City. In the immediate area surrounding the Myrtle-Broadway subway station, paramedics and other first responders provided assistance to 33 people who were suspected of overdosing on synthetic cannabinoids. Brooklyn’s most recent rash of cases two weeks ago formed part of a greater problem: at least 130 synthetic cannabinoid overdose cases were reported throughout the city during the same week. The chemicals used to create these “hits” are dangerous and produced in unknown conditions. In some cases, these mixtures have caused users to hallucinate or exhibit extreme rage—behavior that has sparked worry among local residents. Other users simply became dazed, earning the title “zombies.”

Local efforts to combat the drug’s proliferation, spearheaded by the City’s Departments of Consumer Affairs and Health, have provided limited positive outcomes. By engaging with local cigarette retail dealer licensees, city authorities have been able to help remove some of the K2 supply off of our streets. On the enforcement end, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) continues to dutifully combat rogue retailers.

Despite overall progress, local public awareness campaigns to educate users about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids continue to be inadequate and have currently been unsuccessful in reaching all appropriate audiences. Some of the city’s most disenfranchised groups continue to be at-risk of relapse and addiction. While it can certainly be argued that current local enforcement and retailer engagement efforts have been a strong deterrent, such efforts are not foolproof. The same area where storefronts were raided about two weeks ago and yielded no signs of K2 sale activity is now, once again, under scrutiny after undercover operations allegedly yielded sales of synthetic marijuana.

A drug enforcement policy primarily focused on immediate enforcement with little community outreach and engagement can severely hamper our collective efforts in getting K2 off the streets and getting users the help that they need. In fact, increasing public awareness is imperative to prevent the resurgence and popularity of this drug.

Given these considerations and the course of events across New York City, I urge the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to undertake a study and consider research proposals which would analyze effective treatment and prevention strategies for K2 users while simultaneously establishing best rehabilitation practices. While I applaud the CDC’s prior efforts with clinicians, further research is necessary to assist us in educating our local communities and preventing the use of K2.

I also encourage the CDC to take subsequent action, following the release of such a report, to launch a national education program in collaboration with appropriate local stakeholders. By providing focused educational materials and addressing many of the dangers posed by K2, the CDC can have a tremendous positive effect in neighborhoods all over the country and better achieve its goal of improving our nation’s health

Finally, increasing the public’s understanding of the health risks associated with K2 and similar drugs must be addressed through reports and campaigns that cross all language and ethnic barriers. This key element is crucially necessary for successful efforts in our communities since this issue affects a diverse group of people—including those may not speak English as their first language. Their inclusion in any CDC proposal may yield important culturally appropriate diagnoses and treatment guidelines.

I look forward to hearing from you and collaborating on these efforts.

Sincerely,

Nydia M. Velázquez
Member of Congress