Congressman Cleaver Calls On DEA to Work with Credit Card Companies and Online Retailers to Block Internet Sales of Dangerous Drug Known as "Flakka"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) sent a letter to Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Chuck Rosenberg regarding the danger of a new drug by the name of Alpha-PVP, also known as Flakka. It is a threatening drug that has taken lives and endangers countless more.

The devastating effects that this drug could and is having on communities across the country are serious, and the number of violent incidents that have resulted from people using this drug continues to increase. Currently incidents involving Flakka are prevalent in areas throughout the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States, with substantiated fears of drug use spreading throughout the rest of the country.

"It is of paramount importance that we protect communities from this deplorable drug," said Congressman Cleaver in his letter. "It is my hope that you will do all that is in your power to prevent this drug from spreading any further than it already has. To that point, I am urging the DEA to take the necessary steps to prevent internet distributors from selling Flakka to persons in the United States, including working with credit card companies and online retailers to block sales of this dangerous product. It is imperative that the DEA continue working diligently -- and if needed work with other federal agencies -- to halt all online transactions as quickly as possible."

In 2015 alone more than two dozen people have died from Flakka-related incidents, with that number expected to rise. Addiction is a serious concern, putting those individuals at an extreme risk of death. Flakka is said to be just as addictive as cocaine but even more dangerous. According to reports, despite its illegality, foreign companies still sell Flakka online. Unfortunately, their laboratories have become a source for drug cartels in North and Central America.

Full text of the letter is available here.

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

For more information please contact John Jones – john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4535.