Synthetic drugs are a problem in Fayette County and throughout the state of Illinois. A Townhall meeting, hosted by State Senator Kyle McCarter, was held in Vandalia on Thursday evening. Among the panelists who spoke to the crowd was Fayette County Sheriff Chris Smith, who says this is certainly a problem that law enforcement is fighting in the area.
And, Fayette County States Attorney Joshua Morrison says it’s a problem his office is fighting as well.
Morrison added that the Fayette County States Attorneys office might have been the first one in the state to fight the problem in court. It was explained the synthetic drugs basically start with some type of substance, much like potpourri, and then that is sprayed with a mix of chemicals that makes the drug very intoxicating and very dangerous. Senator McCarter says Senate Bill 1129, which he sponsored in the Senate and the bill has now passed both the Senate and House, will law enforcement to fight synthetic drugs and is currently awaiting Speaker Michael Madigan to send it on to the Governor to be signed. And, Senator McCarter encouraged everyone to contact Speaker Madigan’s office—which the number is 217-782-5350. We’ll have more on the Townhall meeting on Monday during NewsCenter.