The Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health Services Integration Taskforce (SATMHSIT) presented Synthetic Drugs: Myth, Facts, Strategies - A Symposium on February 19, 2013. The symposium served to raise awareness about the proliferation of synthetic drug use in the District of Columbia.

Local and national experts described how synthetic drugs affect the mind and body; reported the prevalence and impact of synthetic drugs; and examined policy efforts underway. In addition, the symposium was the beginning of a dialogue on the local response strategies.

The multidisciplinary group considered a comprehensive and coordinated approach that balances the public health and public safety concerns.

The Planning Committee included:

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration

District of Columbia Department of Health

Pretrial Services Agency

United States Parole Commission

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council