MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
Synthetic drugs are an ongoing problem in the Tri-State, but there's good news from law enforcement in Madisonville.
Police say they've seen a drastic decrease around town.
Officials at the Madisonville Police Department say one of the biggest reasons they've seen a decrease in synthetic drugs is because of House Bill 481 that passed earlier this year.
In a matter of months since House Bill 481 banned the sale and possession of synthetic drugs in the state of Kentucky,Lt. Josh Mitchell with the Madisonville Police Department says the drugs just aren't as prevalent.
"It gave us some leverage in doing something," he said. "Before our hands were kind of tied. Gas stations were selling it, grocery stores. We knew it was bad, we knew what the research was."
Two local stores busted for selling the drugs have since closed down completely.
"Many individuals thought that, 'Hey, since I can purchase this over the counter, since I can go in and there's not any restriction and regulation to it, it has to be alright.' We found out that that's not the case," Mitchell said.
Synthetic drugs were even becoming popular among local high school students and Mitchell says this bill has made more people aware of the devastating effects of using these drugs.
"You never know what you're going to get in a package of them, so if you use it four, five, six times in a couple months you might not have any effects and then that one package you're in the emergency room in ICU," Mitchell noted.
The MPD says numbers for synthetic drugs are also down nationwide. The CDC reports that around 6,000 calls related to synthetic drug usage were made in 2011. This year that number is right around 1,000.
"Now with the information coming out, individuals are beginning to realize and see 'Hey, wait a minute this stuff is dangerous, this stuff is illegal, I definitely need to leave this stuff alone,'" said Lt. Robert Carter.
The MPD says they continue to fight the sale of synthetic drugs on the streets and one of the best ways they can curb that drug activity is through tips from the public.
If you have any information you're encouraged to contact their office.
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Two local stores busted for selling the drugs have since closed down completely.
