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The State is set to launch a multi-agency agenda, including prevention, education, treatment, and community engagement efforts, to combat synthetic cannabinoids.
By Forum Staff
The State is set to launch a multi-agency agenda, including prevention, education, treatment, and community engagement efforts, to combat synthetic cannabinoids—most commonly called K-2—Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday.
The State’s new plan is built on four pillars: K-2 listening forums; public awareness and education; clinical guidance for medical professionals; and removing K-2 from correctional facilities.
According to the State, the listening forums will be initiated in communities that have been impacted by synthetic cannabinoid abuse, such as NYC and Syracuse. These confabs will include State representatives from the Department of Health, Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Office of Mental Health, State Police, Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, State Liquor Authority, State Gaming Commission, and the Department of Tax and Finance. The forums will also include synthetic cannabinoid experts, community based organizations, family representatives, people in recovery, and local government and law enforcement officials, according to the administration.
Additionally, the State indicated that it is launching a public awareness and education campaign focused on educating vulnerable populations about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids. The campaign includes an electronic toolkit that provides a suite of educational resources to inform the public about the dangers of K-2, as well as paid media advertising targeted to at-risk locations throughout the state.
According to the administration, the State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services have issued joint guidance to healthcare providers, hospitals, off-campus emergency departments, substance use disorder and mental health agencies, and local health departments to provide information on the risk indicators of synthetic cannabinoid intoxication and addiction, and offer guidance for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the State has pledged to launch a targeted initiative to ensure adequate linkage between substance use disorder treatment facilities and harm reduction agencies in areas of the state that have been most heavily impacted by synthetic cannabinoids.
According to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, K-2 is one of the most common forms of contraband introduced into the prison system because it is easily concealable to avoid detection. DOCCS officials said that the agency has taken “aggressive action” to enhance its security screening procedures to prevent the introduction of contraband into its facilities. Despite these successes, DOCCS noted that oftentimes the narcotics intelligence gained through interdiction efforts are not fully utilized to inform outside investigation, arrest, and prosecution efforts in the local communities where the narcotics originated. In order to correct the deficiency, Cuomo has directed DOCCS and the State Police to implement a protocol for the State Police to collect this intelligence and pursue criminal investigations when K-2 and other drugs are discovered in the prison system. As part of this protocol, DOCCS will refer cases to the Narcotics Intelligence Unit at the State Intelligence Center to both increase the amount of drug intelligence available to State Police Investigators and enhance the State’s capability to pursue outside investigations to identify and disrupt the sources of K-2 production and distribution.
“This proactive effort for DOCCS to share intelligence with the State Police is another valuable tool in the ongoing battle to stem the flow of this deadly drug both behind the walls and in our communities,” said DOCCS Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci. “Those who feel they can profit while endangering the lives of New Yorkers with this drug, should hear the message loud and clear: If you attempt to produce and distribute K-2 you will be caught and punished.”
