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Updated 08/07/2012 03:39 PM

Lawmakers pass ban on synthetic drugs

By: Web Staff

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LEWIS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Lewis County is doubling down on the state's ban of synthetic drugs. Lawmakers passed a county-wide ban on bath salts and other types of synthetic drugs Tuesday morning.

The county board voted unanimously to ban the possession, sale or use of certain chemical substances or compounds that are commonly referred to as synthetic cocaine or synthetic marijuana. Of course, we've come to learn they're known as bath salts, glass cleaner, plant food, stain remover and other names.

Lewis County's sheriff says his department gets calls about someone on these drugs daily. He says it's great to know that his office now has the power to combat the problem in a different, hopefully more effective way.

"It basically allows us to take them into custody is what it'll do. Before, what we did most of the time, is most went to the hospital. There was no charges for their actions to hold them accountable for what they've done," Lewis Cuonty Sheriff Michael Carpinelli said.

The sheriff says while many of the cases of bath salts use he's seen resulted in medical emergencies, the county has seen its fair share of violent outbursts as well.