Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATHAM. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for this opportunity today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act. This bill addresses an alarming danger to our kids that many American families may not be aware of.

Many American teenagers are experimenting with synthetic drugs that supposedly mimic the effects of marijuana or other types of drugs. These products, known as K2, Pure Evil, Cloud Nine, and other names, can often be bought legally at convenience stores or at so-called ``head shops'' where they're passed off as incense or bath salts. In reality, the users of these substances can experience unexpected anxiety attacks, extreme paranoia, hallucinations, and thoughts of suicide; and the users are at serious risk of harming themselves.

Our experience with this issue in the State of Iowa illustrates why a Federal ban on these dangerous substances is so important. A year and a half ago yesterday, 18-year-old David Rozga, from Indianola, Iowa, shot himself after taking K2. In response to the tragedy, David's parents, Mike and Jan, have led a campaign to outlaw synthetic drugs like K2. They testified before Congress about the dangers of the drug and enlisted the help of their elected Representatives in cracking down on the sale and abuse of these substances.

My colleagues, we must act on this issue to protect our kids. And the time is now. The threat posed by synthetic drugs is dangerous, and it's growing. In the past 2 weeks alone, there have been several cases where teens have been injured or hospitalized after taking synthetic drugs. In Polk County, three teens were involved in a high-speed crash after smoking one of these substances. In central Iowa, a teenage boy was hospitalized after taking synthetic drugs. He became violently ill--having seizures, vomiting, and hallucinations.

I really want to thank the Rozga family for their selfless willingness to relive the tragedy they've experienced, and I want to thank them for their efforts to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak. This legislation and other efforts to address this threat to our children would simply not have occurred without the Rozgas' courage, strength, and leadership.

I am heartened today that Congress has listened to their message and is taking action. It is time to recognize how dangerous these substances are and to ban their sale in the United States by clarifying their status as Schedule I controlled substances. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1254, I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this most important piece of legislation.

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