Cities to discuss synthetic drugs

Alabama State Rep. Paul DeMarco will host an awareness program on synthetic marijuana for the public on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church.

The program, co-sponsored by the Mountain Brook Anti-Drug Coalition and A Safe and Healthy Homewood Coalition, will feature a panel including Mike Reese of the Alabama ABC Board, Barry Matson of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, Chief Ted Cook of Mountain Brook Police Department, Officer Kenny Blackmon of Homewood Police Department and Ann Slattery of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children’s of Alabama.

 “The purpose of the program is to raise public awareness and concern about the dangers of synthetic drugs such as ‘spice,’ herbal incense and other similar compounds,” DeMarco said. “This is a growing concern in our state and in our local communities.”

The program is free and open to the public. The church is located at 2305 Montevallo Road.