DEA, Georgia make moves to regulate synthetic ‘heroin’ From Staff Reports

A synthetic heroin substitute that has been easily purchased over the internet has been declared a Schedule I drug by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Wayne Smith, special agent in charge of the Georgia Clandestine Lab Response Program with the GBI, said the Schedule I designation means U-47700 can only be purchased with a prescription.

Many people were ordering U-47700 online because it was considered a chemical, not a drug.

A Schedule I drug is defined as a drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

The Georgia State Board of Pharmacy placed U-47700 under Schedule I drug status in April.

“Where we were at, we could confiscate it, but we couldn’t criminally charge anyone,” said Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome.

U-47700 is a synthetic opioid originally developed as a research chemical that is actively being abused by many, according to a GBI news release.

Some of the side effects include sedation and respiratory problems

es was part of the work session with officials wondering aloud how they might be better able to time reviews and raises together so it could be scheduled in the finances on an annual basis at the same time.

To help keep from having to pay out future comp time on such a large level, Baldwin already put some new rules into place as mayor. First, unless they are requested to speak to the council on an issue, department heads will not be required to attend monthly meetings.

Picnic tables and grills are coming for local parks, but council member Tammy Mulkey has more in mind than just some minor improvements.

She said during the Nov. 17 work session that plans are being finalized with the help of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission to bring about new park improvements, ranging from resurfacing the walking track with a rubber-like material to big fixes for Tom Pittman Recreation Center, including an increase in size to the softball field, fixes to lighting, the scoreboard and electrical problems in general, and eventually an upgrade to the concession stands.

Mulkey said that a basketball court where the community garden once stood was also part of the plans.

Council member Hunter Spinks added that he felt whether or not basketball courts are installed soon, the city should seek ordinances not allowing free standing basketball courts to be used anymore, for fear of safety concerns for children playing in the streets.

Notes: The Aragon City Council met for the first time with new members, but not with a full board as council pro tem Duel Mitchell was out sick for the Nov. 17 meeting. Debbie Pittman, who sat for her first meeting on the council, did not vote on any issues and chose to abstain since she faced a recount in her election on Nov. 18. According to officials at the Polk County Board of Elections, no numbers changed.

Check back in the Nov. 30 edition for more on Aragon's November meeting.

that can be fatal. It is also reported to be 7-10 times stronger than heroin, according to the GBI.

Floyd County police Maj. Tom Ewing, former commander of the Rome-Floyd Metro Task Force, said the big problem with the substance is that abusers have been able to order it online from people who may be marketing the substance as a bath salt.

“The best thing this will do for us is that they will not be able to order it over the internet any- more,” Ewing added.

Hufstetler predicted earlier this year that the state would make shipping the substance into Georgia illegal.

“I know we have had several instances ( of drug overdoses) here, but I don’t know how widespread it is. I’m certainly glad to hear the DEA has taken this action.” Hufstetler said.

In 2016, the GBI identified two overdose deaths because of U-47700. In one of those cases, U-47700 was the only drug found in the system of the dead person, the GBI said.