Synthetic Drugs Now Illegal in Town

Retailers in Oswego that have been selling synthetic drugs will be notified Wednesday to pull the products from their stores or face village fines.

The Village Board voted unanimously as part of its consent agenda Tuesday night to ban the sale, use or possession synthetic drugs in the village. The ban will allow the village to fine violators the maximum penalty of $750.

Dwight Baird, interim village administrator and police chief, told trustees police officers will hand-deliver notices to retailers Wednesday to alert them of the change.

The ban comes after a , an Aurora mom whose son Max died after he drove a vehicle through the front of a house in Batavia Township while possibly experiencing the side effects of synthetic marijuana.

Opponents say the synthetic drugs  than their traditional counterparts and can cause panic attacks, high blood pressure and nausea in some people.

Dobner said Tuesday night she was pleased with the vote.

"We're very excited that the village decided to join us in this cause," she said. "Now we just have to keep going town by town."

Dobner said Naperville has yet to institute a local ban, which is worrisome because people can easily drive to get the products.

Oswego trustees asked if a stiffer penalty could be levied on those that sell the drugs, but acting police chief Capt. Nick Sikora said the $750 was the maximum the village is allowed to fine those who violate the ordinance. The $750 fine will apply to those selling, using or possessing the drugs.

Legislation banning these synthetic drugs has been passed in Illinois, but it will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2012.  Dobner has been encouraging communities to pass ordinances that will take effect immediately. The local ordinances can also be changed quickly to ban more substances as they are brought to the market.

Baird said the drugs were discussed at a recent meeting of police chiefs. One of the biggest distributors of the product Red Magic is located in DeKalb. Baird said local police there also are working to stop the distribution at its source.

Oswego joins Montgomery, Yorkville, Sugar Grove and Aurora which have instituted similar bans in recent months.

Please see these other Patch articles for more information about  and . Two Patch reporters in Kane County  in several Kane County stores this summer, and  last month.