When to Rally? Organizers of Shelby Drug Protest Ask for Community Input

The sale and use of , but for many in Shelby Township and surrounding communities, the fight against synthetic drugs is far from over.

This is especially true for Shelby Township resident Bill Miskokomon, founder of the community organization People Against Illegal Drugs (PAID) and advocate of substance abuse prevention.

A key player in the June 2012 rally that urged township businesses to stop selling synthetic marijuana, Miskokomon is once again working to organize a communitywide response to eradicate synthetic drug use and sales in Shelby Township and beyond.

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“We’re trying to stay one step ahead of the manufacturers,” Miskokomon said. “The state banned synthetic marijuana in 2010 and then what happened is the manufacturers just came up with a new chemical makeup and people forgot about it. Then it got out of control and we had to bring it to light. We don’t want anyone to lose awareness of this.”

Those interested in learning more about the dangers of synthetic drugs or helping plan an awareness rally later this month outside the Express Gas Station and Woodstock Tobacco shop on Van Dyke are invited to attend a community meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, at the King of Kings Church in Shelby Township.

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“This newest protest is to bring awareness of legal synthetic dugs that are being sold in Shelby Township,” Miskokomon said. “The police have their hands tied because these substances are legal. The legislation signed last year is already outdated and manufacturers are coming back with new synthetics.”

Joining forces with advocates in Illinois and Georgia, Miskokomon said he is hoping to push broader legislation in Michigan that will eliminate the current law’s loophole for changing formulas.

“We want a more blanket-type legislation,” he added. “Monday’s planning meeting is more or less to find out what the community’s concerns are and try to develop some bullet points that we can discuss with our legislators. Then we are going to establish the date and time of the rally.”

Miskokomon encourages those unable to attend the meeting, but interested in taking part in the rally, to follow the Ban K2 Facebook page.

“Monday’s meeting is for anyone in the community who wants to come out and learn more,” Miskokomon said.

“When I started the Facebook page I was alone. I didn’t realize other families were struggling with synthetic drugs. Some people are still embarrassed to even talk about it, but we want people to feel comfortable and know there are other families out there dealing with these issues.”

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