05/23/2023 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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—� CITY of NORTH OLMSTED Mayor Nicole Dailey Janes Definine th re rulated Psvchoactive Substances ORDINANCE 2023-53 In 2012 The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) indicated "For the first time, the number of NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) actually exceeded the total number of substances under international control (234)."' That number, according to the same office has increased to 1,004 (over 110 new substances in 2021 alone) different NPS from 125 different countries.4 Many of the substances in question are legal, per se, but due to their unregulated nature they create significant health and safety risks, especially for our youth. Dr. Marvin Seppala, Chief Medical Officer of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and nationally known psychiatrist and addiction treatment leader, spoke of the effects of these substances on children "What we're seeing is regular use of it, especially in adolescents and young adults, it really fits in with alcohol, marijuana and tobacco. It's legal, so it's really easy for kids to get a hold of, and they'll try it to see what it does to them."' These drugs are widely available through domestic and international vendors on both the open and dark web and pose a threat to law enforcement. "Designer drugs", "smarts", "boosters", "part pills", or "legal highs" are terms commonly used to refer to different substances of natural, semi -synthetic, and synthetic origin or their blends, which have alleged or true body—mind effects. Academic organizations maintain the term "New Psychoactive Substances" (NPS) to emphasize they require current scientific research, In terms of the identification of these substances, their pharmacological effects, and their health and social impacts. UNODC defines new psychoactive substances as new drugs, substances of abuse that are not controlled, either in a pure or a preparation form, which may pose a serious public health threat.' The proliferation and rapid evolution of the unregulated drug industry writ large presents a unique challenge to the City Planning staff to craft a definition encompass the ever-changing landscape of the industry In a way that is bath malleable and enforceable therefore, the following definition offered: UNREGULATED PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES: means any substance with psychoactive mind -altering properties meant to mimic the effects of drugs and/or alcohol. A