Brad Schimel one of 43 attorneys general to issue letter to help eliminate sale of synthetic drugs

WASHINGTON (WITI) -- The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter Tuesday, February 10th to the CEOs of nine oil companies asking them to help eliminate any synthetic drug sales from retail locations operating under their brand names. The letter was signed by 43 attorneys general, including Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel.

A news release issued by Schimel's office says the following:

Over the past few years, dozens of owners, managers, and employees of branded gas stations and convenience stores have been arrested for selling synthetic drugs.

Synthetic drugs are chemical alternatives to cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. They are illegal and are often just as dangerous, if not more, than the substances they mimic. Synthetic drugs started appearing in gas stations, tobacco shops and liquor stores over the last seven years. In 2010, more than 11,000 people, many of whom were younger than 17, went to the emergency room after using synthetic marijuana.

“Young people are the most likely to use these dangerous drugs and their availability in stores operating under well-known brands gives the appearance of safety and legitimacy to very dangerous products,” reads the Feb. 9 letter signed by 43 state and territorial attorneys general. “We are extremely troubled that these drugs have been readily available in well-known retail locations.”

The attorneys general are asking the oil companies to take immediate action, including prohibiting franchisees from selling any synthetic drugs and revoking the company relationship with any station or convenience store that sells any kind of synthetic drug.

The NAAG letter can be found here.