WASHINGTON – The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter this week to the CEOs of nine oil companies asking them to help eliminate any synthetic drug sales from retail locations operating under their brand names. Over the past few years, dozens of owners, managers and employees of branded gas stations and convenience stores have been arrested for selling synthetic drugs.

Synthetic drugs, alternatives to cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine, are illegal. The products started appearing in convenience stores, gas stations, tobacco shops and liquor stores over the last seven years. The attorneys general are asking the oil companies to take immediate action, including prohibiting franchisees from selling any synthetic drugs and revoking the company relationship with any station or convenience store that sells any kind of synthetic drug.

“The fact that synthetic drugs have been available at locations operating under respected brand names has only exacerbated an already growing problem,” reads the letter, which was signed by 43 state and territorial attorneys general.

“Young people are the most likely to use these dangerous drugs and their availability in stores operating under well-known brands gives the appearance of safety and legitimacy to very dangerous products. Your companies spend millions of dollars on marketing campaigns designed to convince consumers that your brands are trustworthy. Enforcing strong policies against the sale of synthetic drugs in your retail locations can only protect your brand reputation while also protecting our youth.”