On Thursday, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to sign a proclamation designating Sep. 22-29 Synthetic Drugs Awareness Week.

The supervisors are the final group of public officials to sign the proclamation, proposed by local advocacy group Iowans Against Synthetics. The group was founded in March in response to the use of synthetic marijuana.

“I think it’s one of those things that just keeps changing without regulation and without any control over what’s in them,” Supervisor Chairwoman Janelle Rettig said. “And that makes it particularly dangerous.”

Iowans Against Synthetics representative Sandy McFarland was present to accept the proclamation.

The group will hold a Synthetic Drugs Awareness Open House from 6-8 p.m. Sep. 26 at the Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St.

During the week, citizens can wear red, which symbolizes drug-free awareness, in support of a synthetic drug-free community.

— by Shianne Gruss