04-26-10 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY The April 26, 2010 meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White at 4:26 p.m. in the Informal Meeting Room, 4th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana Persons in attendance included: Committee Members: Ann Puzzello, Vice-Chairperson; Henry Davis, Tim Rouse, Karen White, Citizen Member Valerie Schey Other Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, AI "Buddy" Kirsits, Tom LaFountain, David Varner, Oliver Davis Others Present: Mayor Luecke, Gary Gilot, Barbara Huber, Dan Herbster, Isaac Hunt, Charles Watkins, Billy Gene Easton, Tom Bush, Rita Kopala, Chuck Leone, Jeff Parrott, Dave Ryan SBPD, Curtis Voreis, SBPD Agenda: Discussion -New Synthetic Marijuana 2010 Justice Assistance Grant 'Synthetic Marijuana: Chairperson White began the discussion stating her purpose was to raise awareness of this new "synthetic marijuana, its dangers and availability. Chairperson White yielded to President Derek Dieter who formally thanked the Senior Men's Club of the Dr. King Recreation Center for their efforts to bring awareness to the Council and public about this substance. Chairperson White then turned to Charles Watkins one of the Senior Men's Club representatives to speak on the subject. Mr. Watkins strongly stated this marijuana substitute meant to mimic its effects was being sold under a variety of names, legally in convenience stores as an incense type product. He felt the product was actually an entry level drug posing a threat to young people in particular and needs to be banned. The Senior Club Vice-President echoed the concerns also stating something needed to be done to ban such substances. Chairperson White then called upon Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand to present her preliminary research on the types of substances their distribution, and laws pertaining to them. (see attached handout) There are as it turns out, over 400 known varieties. These substances have been banned in eight (8) states to date. Council questions followed. Councilmember Henry Davis asked if incense sale could be prohibited. The answer was no. It is the chemical compound mimicking marijuana that can be targeted. David Varner said the awareness of the dangers of the substance should be raised. City Attorney Chuck Leone said the product first needs to be identified or defined chemically, then regulated state-wide. David Ryan of the South Bend Police Department said analysis of the products are not complete, however, the dangers are clear. Awareness is a good first step. Seeing problems with overstepping our legal authority and the consensus that the issue be addressed at the state level, Councilmember Henry Davis suggested we proceed cautiously. Continued research, a voluntary ban in the interim, education in the schools and homes, and a plea for state action seemed the way to go.