By Adam Ghassemi
LA VERGNE, Tenn. – If Kathy Hines learned anything during her time as a detective in Detroit, it's that drugs can hurt anyone.
"Crime has no social class. It doesn't care who it evolves. Drugs have no desire to say I just want the poor or I want the very wealthy. It attacks anybody," she said Friday.
The former Detroit detective is now behind TNZERO, a task force bringing law enforcement from around Rutherford County together to fight a growing problem: synthetic drugs.
Wednesday La Vergne Police uncovered more than 100 packets of synthetic marijuana in a hidden compartment inside the Mark Market. Since selling or possessing is only a misdemeanor the store and owner were only issued a citation.
"We need to make it a felony. Don't be afraid to tell these store owners no you can't sell this stuff here," Hines said.
"They're a piece of crap in my book. I'll just tell you straight up," said State Rep. Mike Sparks who not only supports a proposed bill to make selling or possessing synthetic drugs a felony, he's also behind a separate bill that would strip businesses of their beer and tobacco licenses if police discover they are secretly selling synthetic drugs.
"I don't want them to do business here. If they cannot be responsible they don't need to do business in Rutherford County," Sparks said.
Until they educate the public the group worries people will just keep buying to get high while the sellers are basically getting away with it.
"We're going to run this out of our community. We will run it out of our community," said Sparks.
TNZERO may be rooted in Rutherford County now, but it's designed for the entire state. They've started a Facebook page to tell people how to spot synthetic drugs, and who to call if they do.
Past Stories:
Email: aghassemi@newschannel5.com
Facebook: facebook.com/NC5AdamGhassemi
Twitter: twitter.com/NC5_AGhassemi
