K2 found during Prior Lake High School drug sweep
Shawn Hogendorf of the Prior Lake American reports:
When the synthetic substance salvia was made illegal in August, local law enforcement officials said they expected imitation marijuana – such as 'K2' and 'Spice' – would take its place as the new illicit drug of choice for teens and young adults. One month into the school year, K2 was found during an unannounced drug sweep at Prior Lake High School.
Two Prior Lake boys, ages 16 and 17, were found in possession of K2.The 16-year-old also was found in possession of drug paraphernalia, and the 17-year-old also was cited for minor possession of alcohol after drug task force agents found a substance believed to be marijuana, as well as several containers of alcohol, drug paraphernalia, lighters and a scale in his vehicle, according to police.In addition, a 17-year-old boy from Savage was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.
The drug sweep, which took place Oct. 15, also turned up 'typical' findings of drugs and contraband in the parking lot, but it was the first time K2 – a synthetic substance deemed harmful by law enforcement officials – was found during a drug sweep on high school property.
A law enforcement alert issued this summer stated that K2, Spice and other synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of marijuana had started showing up in south metro high schools.At that time, police in both Savage and Prior Lake said they had not come across any K2 or Spice yet.In all, two criminal citations were issued as a result of the drug sweep. But, the school will handle the discipline for the 16-year-old Prior Lake boy who was found to be in possession of K2 and drug paraphernalia.K2 is not an illegal substance, according to state law, but legislators and even Prior Lake City Council members have discussed potential bans on the drug in the future.
No drugs or contraband were located inside the school, according to PLHS Principal Dave Lund. The drug sweeps are conducted by the Dakota County Drug Task Force two or three times each school year at the request of school administration.
This sweep turned up a 'typical' amount of narcotics and contraband in the parking lot of the school, Savage Police Capt. Dave Muelken said.
'The obvious goal is zero, but it is very positive that – at least on this day – there was a very small presence of controlled substances on school property,' Muelken said. 'Credit needs to be given to both students and parents.'
WHAT IS K2?
A pseudo form of marijuana, K2 comes in a small package of herbal blends that looks like potpourri. It is sprayed with one or more versions of synthetic cannabinoids that act like THC – the active substance in marijuana that binds to receptors in the brain to create a high.The effects of the illicit drug are similar to marijuana, but also include panic attacks, convulsions, delusions, vomiting, heart palpitations, agitation and dilated pupils, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). K2 is smoked or ingested to obtain the high. It is sold online for about $25 a gram, but it is also showing up in tobacco stores, where it is being sold as incense or potpourri, according to the DEA. Retailers are requiring that buyers are at least 18 years old to purchase it.
K2 is not an illegal substance by law – and Lund wouldn't specifically speak about K2 in response to this sweep, citing data privacy law regarding school discipline measures. But he did recite the school's chemical policy, which states: 'The use, possession, and exchange of tobacco, alcohol and other illegal and harmful chemicals, including paraphernalia related to these substances, is prohibited on school property and at school-related functions.'
Since there is a long list of controlled substances, school policy can't be specific about every chemical, but the policy does include the words 'illegal and harmful chemicals,' Lund explained.
'I would term K2 as 'harmful,' according to all the reports I have read,' the principal said. 'Just because the policy doesn't specifically address K2 doesn't mean we can't discipline students and tell them they can't have it here.'
According to school policy, if the principal or staff determines that a chemical-health violation has occurred at school, parents or guardians are notified and the student is suspended from school; legal citations and/or Minnesota State High School League sanctions may apply; and a conference with the student and parents or guardians must take place before the student returns to school.
'Besides marijuana and alcohol, K2 is another material that can be seen as a gateway to future alcohol and chemical abuse,' Muelken said. 'K2 is not yet illegal, but it mimics what would be the illegal use of marijuana.'
DRUG SWEEPS
The unannounced drug sweeps began when the new high school building opened in 2004.
During the sweeps, drug-sniffing dogs alert officers when the odor of drugs is detected, but citations are only issued if there is a presence of drugs or tobacco in vehicles or lockers. If contraband is located, police confiscate it.
The sweep is a preventative measure to make sure students aren't bringing drugs into the building; it is not a response to known or suspected drug activity, Lund said.
'We're trying to provide a safe environment at school,' Lund said. 'This is a way to let students know we do conduct periodic searches to give students pause so they don't bring anything illegal here.'
Last school year, two drug sweeps were conducted – one in October 2009 and another in May 2010.
During the October 2009 drug sweep, two students were cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and tobacco.
During the May 2010 sweep, two students were cited for possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, and one student was cited for possession of tobacco.
In a drug sweep conducted in October 2008, two students were cited for possession of tobacco and possession of drug paraphernalia. A second drug sweep that school year resulted in citations to three students for possession of alcohol, tobacco and drug paraphernalia.K2 was not found in student vehicles during any of those drug sweeps.
Shawn Hogendorf is a staff writer for the Prior Lake American. He can be reached at shogendorf@swpub.com.
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