ALBANY, N.Y. — After a mass overdose in Brooklyn sent 33 people to hospitals, Sen. Charles Schumer is pushing legislation to add 22 substances to the federal list of banned drugs.
Since 2015, at least 6,000 people have been hospitalized in New York City following the use of synthetic drugs. There have been two deaths confirmed as a result of synthetic drug use.
“Unfortunately, it’s legal and does a lot of damage. It shouldn’t be sold to the people of New York,” Schumer told CNN.
Sen. Schumer’s recent push follows last week’s mass overdose, where 33 hospitalizations were blamed on drugs sold as K2, or “spice.”
Witnesses reported seeing victims leaning against trees and fire hydrants. Brian Arthur shared video of the incidents on Facebook.
Schumer’s proposed bill would ban 19 drugs that mimic the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, as well as three derivatives of fentanyl.