Authorities Unveil New Anti-Spice Billboard
There’s a new billboard on U.S. 19 in Port Richey, and it informs passersby of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office campaign that uses stickers to let people know if a business does not sell synthetic drugs, such as Spice and K2.
Authorities unveiled today a new measure in the fight against synthetic drugs.
There’s a new billboard on U.S. 19 in Port Richey (near Ichiban Sushi), and it informs passersby of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office campaign that uses stickers to let people know a business does not sell synthetic drugs, such as Spice and K2.
The billboard reads ”Thank businesses with this sticker." Below that is the text of the sticker, which reads "Synthetic Drugs Kill - These Drugs Are NOT Sold Here.”
It also gives the sheriff's office tipline number.
The billboard is one of five that have been installed across Pasco County through a partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention
Four of them are in West Pasco. The other is in Zephyrhills.
Synthetic drugs have been a concern for folks in Pasco, where the drugs have been found in some local convenience stores. Contained in colorful wrappings, synthetic drugs, often referred to as synthetic marijuana, are a mix of chemicals that can be harmful if consumed. Sometimes people, especially young people, use synthetic drugs to get high. On some occasions, use of the drugs has been atrtributed to changes in behavior.
“It’s left the community frightened,” said Chrissie Parris, executive director of PASCO ASAP.
The sheriff’s office unveiled its sticker program in June. Businesses that sign an agreement not to sell synthetic drug products receive the stickers to affix to their windows.
Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the billboards are phase two of the campaign to increase awareness of the “poisons of synthetic drugs.”
“One of the hardest things out there is parents don’t know what is happening,” he said. “They don’t see what is happening. …This billboard’s going to leave a big marker out there for people to realize as they drive down 19 what businesses are safe, which ones are bad.”
Parris said the billboards cost $3,000 total and were paid for with grant money, not sheriff’s office money.
The billboards are located at the following locations and will be up for a month:
- U.S. 19, 2.80 miles north of State Road 52, east side facing north
- U.S. 19, 4.50 miles north of New York Avenue, west side facing north
- U.S. 19, 600 feet south of Jasmine, west side facing north
- Ridge Road, .30 miles west of Little Road, north side facing west
- State Road 54, 1 mile east of Morris Bridge Road
Who is WILLIAM BINNEY?
12:59 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
"It's left the community frightened"
Really? I'm guessing 3/4 of the adult population have no idea what Spice or K2 is......but they are "frightened?"
So now the Sheriff Dept gets to tell us what business is bad or good? How about the ones selling Alcohol and Cigarettes? Are they good? It somewhat confuses me considering I know more people are dying from Alcohol and Cigarette related deaths than synthetic drugs? But then again, what do I know, I am not profiting billion$ from these deaths.
As usual, the symptoms are being treated and not the root cause. Decriminalize and these type of drugs wouldn't be on the shelves.
Am I for these harmful substances? Nope.....but I am for equal treatment across the board.
tiffany k
3:58 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
The only thing dangerous about the synthetic marijuana is the crap they are spewing about it. The chemicals that are used in them were created by the pill-popping pharmaceutical company's for cancer patients. Are there backyard venders that make bad stashes? I dont doubt it, but there are major company's making the stuff as well and doing so in a way to make it safe. There is no law as of yet banning spice, they are using bullying tactics to get thier way right now. The law that they are trying to get passed is a look-a-like law. which means if a cop pulled you over and you had oregano you could go to jail if they had a hair up their ass. Thats totally a breach of our freedoms. The whole pot is bad thing has lost its luster. I see more people hurt from alcohol than I do smoking a joint. Does it lead to harder drugs? I think not. Just legalize the real stuff so you dont have to worry the bad synthetic stuff. The American population are not a bunch of children I think a good majority of us can handle our own without going completely crazy, If all these bull crap laws are for "my own benefit" then please do me a favor back off I dont need the assistance.