More than 25 people were hospitalized in New York City yesterday night, Saturday, May 19, 2018, as a result of overdose symptoms experienced after taking the synthetic cannabinoids known as K2 or spice, according to a report by the Associated Press.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are specifically designed to mimic the psychoactive effects of THC found in marijuana, but at a much more potent level. The chemicals are sprayed on plant materials to be smoked or sold as a liquid to be vaporized.
This potency, along with the drug’s availability for purchase at a number of convenience stores and gas stations, has led to a large number of K2 overdoses in the past several years. According to the AP report, in 2016, 33 people overdosed on K2 at the exact same Bedford-Stuyvesant location as the site of last night’s events. In the summer of 2017, more than 100 people overdosed on the drug in a single county in Pennsylvania over the course of just 3 days.
Synthetic cannabinoids are a uniquely risky and dangerously accessible drug, and anyone with or at risk of developing an addiction to the substance should seek treatment immediately.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a comprehensive detoxification and residential treatment program in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
