By Tamas Mondovics
Through a combined effort of County Code Enforcement and Consumer Protection Agency officers,
Sheriff David Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office have been battling a menace in the community that targets young people.
According to HCSO Captain, Chad Chronister, the dangers of the commonly known synthetic marijuana “K2” or “Spice” is a very real danger especially for young people thanks to the manufacture’s use of colorful packaging with cute names like Scooby Snax or Cotton Candy.
“They are packaged to entice and elicit a sense of innocent pleasure,” Chronister said, adding, “It may look harmless, but it’s what you can’t see that can kill you.”
In a recent two minute video on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Website, Chronister explained that there are no standards or regulations when it comes to manufacturing this designer drug, emphasizing that usually the process is completed on tabletops in a warehouse.
“You can never be certain what chemical cocktail was put in.”
Joining forces with the participating agencies, HCSO is aggressively enforcing the county ordinance.
“Sheriff David Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are battling this health menace with a unified effort,” he said. “We have joined forces with the County Code Enforcement and Consumer Protection to enforce the county’s ordinance against possessing, displaying, selling or manufacturing synthetic drugs.”
According to Hillsborough County Consumer Protection Agency Chief Investigator, Kevin Jackson, the department has much work to do but is counting on the public’s continued support.
“It’s a continuing problem and we hope that through the public support and the local agency’s joint effort will make a difference and a serve as a deterrent,” Jackson said. “This is a national problem, but violators will be held accountable.”
To see the video, please visit www.hcso.tampa.fl.us and click on Articles/Just Think About It: The Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana.
