WASHINGTON, D. C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today issued the following statement on the death of Marion “Christopher” Barry, son of late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who died of an apparent overdose.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Christopher Barry, a community activist who cared a great deal for the most vulnerable in our city. Our condolences go out to the Barry family.”

“This tragedy once again highlights the pressing need to get drugs off of our streets, including dangerous synthetic drugs. While often believed to be harmless, synthetic drugs can induce immediate, psychotic and deadly reactions. The Office of the Attorney General is working on multiple fronts – including educating the public and the business community – to ensure that our neighborhoods and our children will be safe.”

Synthetic cannabinoids (often known by street or brand names like “Bizarro” and “Scooby Snax”) are manufactured compounds designed to alter the mental state of the user. The drugs are sometimes referred to as “synthetic marijuana” because they purport to mimic the effects of THC, the operative chemical in cannabis. However, synthetic drugs are not at all like marijuana.  They contain dangerous psychoactive substances, and are often laced with hallucinogens or opioids and are highly dangerous – and sometimes deadly – because they are unregulated and inconsistent in their contents.