Families warn parents about dangers of synthetic pot

Two families torn apart by the deadly effects of synthetic pot are teaming up with police and drug enforcement officers.

The Burnett family of Fayette County and the Dyer family of Haralson County have a painful connection to one another.

On March 4, 16-year-old Chase Burnett died in the hot tub of his Fayetteville home after using synthetic pot, a substance commonly known as Spice.

A few days later, 14-year-old Dakota Dyer of Bremen used Spice for the first and last time. He took his life after experimenting with the drug, according to Lance Dyer.

"I don't make excuses for what my son done. He made a mistake and paid the ultimate price for his mistake," said Lance Dyer.

Lance and Deanna Dyer now work hand in hand with Yvette and David Burnett to spread the message about their sons' deadly encounters with spice.    

On Tuesday they met with first responders and drug agents in Bremen to share their story, but they also share their story with teenagers, young adults and parents.

"Talk to them, don't say ‘don't do it.' Make sure they understand the consequences. We all have choices. Say, "these are the consequences, we do this, this could happen,'" said Yvette Burnett.

Their next stop is the State House, where they're urging lawmakers to allow all synthetic chemicals that mimic a the effects of drugs to be listed as a  controlled narcotic. They also want the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to have immediate authority to arrest manufacturers and confiscate the product from store shelves.

"I think all us parents' mission to try to prevent another child from making that mistake, and if they do – these merchants of death and these narco-terrorists that sell this poison to our children not only be held morally responsible, but they be legally responsible," said Lance Dyer.

Georgia lawmakers passed "Chase's Law" shortly after the 16-year-old died and DEA agents said that there has been a steady drop in sales and usage since then. They say manufacturers keep reformulating Spice with different ingredients so it can legally be sold. That's why Dakota and Chase's parents are pushing for broader definitions of controlled substances.