White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske met with public health and safety officials on Thursday to discuss the threat of synthetic drugs.
Speaking at the working group session to coordinate Federal, state, and local responses to the synthetic drugs threat, Kerlikowske said, "Synthetic drugs like Spice, K2, and 'bath salts' are a serious threat to the health and safety of young people throughout America. We will continue to coordinate a comprehensive government-wide response, but we cannot do this alone."
He added, "Parents and adult influencers must understand the serious threat these drugs pose and act today to talk to teens about the serious health and safety consequences of drug use - in whichever form it may come."
The meeting was followed by the introduction of a kit for parents and adult mentors that includes a slidecast about synthetic drugs, podcasts and videos, and a printable guide of the effects, names, and symptoms of the most common synthetic drugs.
Kerlikowske's efforts came a day after Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., delivered a Senate Floor speech urging Senator Rand Paul, R-Ken., to stop blocking a bill that would get dangerous synthetic drugs off shelves.
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