how easy it is for anyone to obtain this drug through the internet. By ordering it online, it’s sent directly through the mail to their home.”
The drug has been for sale online for a couple of years now. Numerous Chinese websites promise to deliver packages of synthetic products labeled “research only drugs” to customers’ doors.
On September 7, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to make U-47700 a Schedule I controlled substance. Several states including Ohio, Georgia, Florida, and Wyoming have already signed emergency orders outlawing U-47700, as well.
It will take some time before the DEA can officially make the substance illegal because such scheduling actions are first subjected to reviews. However, the DEA determined that the drug has no “accepted medical use”.
“It’s quite different than most drugs we’re dealing with,” Kirk said. “So parents have to be extra alert for that going on with their kids. Normally, kids have to be very secretive about getting drugs from drug dealers, but in this case, that’s not the situation at all.”
Kirk said he believes that the two teenagers died because it was extremely easy for them to have access to the drug and because their parents were not aware.
After the incident, he advised Park City parents to look out for the toxic drug.The same guidelines were also recently posted by the Park City Police Department on social media.
“It’s very much of a tragedy in our community,” Kirk said. “So we’re trying to prevent any other additional overdose deaths by working with schools and with parents, and trying to get as much information out there as possible.”
Author: Livia Areas-Holmblad
Livia Holmblad is an editor at Addiction Now and covers breaking news, features and everything in between. She moved to SoCal after living in NYC for about 10 years, where she worked for VICE and SinoVision as a writer, editor, host, producer, and director. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro. Contact Livia at liviah@addictionnow.com
