by Mark Bellinger
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- When you think of a DUI naturally you think of alcohol, but lately police have something else to worry about:driving while under the influence of synthetic drugs.
Several DUI stops have been captured by dash cams in police patrol cars. Clarksville Police showed video of a young woman weaving in and out of her lane and crossing the white line. The video came from a camera mounted on the dash of a police patrol car.
While it looks like your typical D-U-I stop, but this one was different. When a Clarksville Police officer pulled the woman over she discovered two packs of K-4, which is an illegal synthetic drug.
"They may not be using alcohol, but they're using something that simulates the effects of marijuana, so you've got another DUI," said Clarksville Police Public Information Officer Jim Knoll
It's one more thing to worry about if you're on the road.
Samantha Bara lost a friend recently.
"My friend got killed by a drunk driver, she was also on drugs a couple of years ago, but it's stupid to do it, why do it. You know better," she said
Synthetic drugs have become more of a challenge for police all over the mid-state. They've raided dozens of markets seizing synthetics like bath salts and incense.
"We're getting people going to the hospital, really ill, some on the brink of death as far as how bad they get," said Knoll.
Now, police are finding the drugs on the road. Clarksville Police said DUI cases involving synthetic drugs are becoming more prevalent.
"In this case, just over the weekend there are three different incidents involving the synthetics," said Officer Knoll.
Although in Clarksville it is illegal to buy or sell synthetic drugs, people are buying them just across the state line in Oak Grove, Kentucky.
The city council recently passed a law banning substances like herbal incense and plant food products, but the law is tougher than the state law and it has been challenged.
Right now, the products are back on the shelves. That may change soon, because Kentucky state lawmakers are taking action.
Monday a bill was filed banning synthetic drugs. A vote could happen later this year
Email: mbellinger@newschannel5.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/NC5_MarkBellinger
Twitter: Twitter.com/NC5_MBellinger
