Call to help spice zombies flaked on Lord Street

Police have been called two nights in a row to spice addicts who have spilled out onto Lord street in a zombie like haze.

The popular drug craze continues to sweep through the town and fed up businesses have written to OTS News to complain about the zombie like addicts who sit up outside their shops.

One fed up Lord Street reader, Gary Burgess, emailed to say:

“Again I’ve had to call the police because it’s like the return of the living dead here.

I’ve caught these people smoking what like roll ups then dropping to the floor. Something needs to be done about these zombies but it won’t be.

It looks like they’re dead but it’s just the drug”.

What is Spice?

Spice, or K2, is a synthetic cannabinoid- meaning that it is a chemically created substance that mimics natural cannabinoids. Both Spice and marijuana bind to the same receptor in the brain, CB1 (cannabinoid receptor type 1). Spice is a drug that is growing in popularity, especially given the rise of trends like vaping that support easy and discrete usage. However, Spice can have serious health consequences, and it is important to stay informed and know how to seek treatment, if necessary.

Using Spice

Most people start using Spice because:

• It is legally available.
  
• It is cheaper than marijuana.
  
• Because of its legal status, many consider it safer than marijuana- whether accurate or not. 
  

Spice has a high addictive potential because of its intense psychoactive effects—which can be more potent than regular marijuana due to the presence of other chemicals.

Continued Spice use has been associated with psychiatric emergencies and medical complications like:

• Depression.
  
• Anxiety.
  
• Hallucinations, and paranoia.
  
• Heart attacks and heart disease.
  
• Acute kidney injury.
  
• Seizures.
  

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

Substance addictions have a characteristic pattern of symptoms. Here’s how you can determine whether there might be an issue:

• Spice is often taken larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
  
• There is a persistent desire to control use of the drug, but attempts at abstaining usually fail.
  
• A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the drug.
  
• Persistent craving for spice.
  
• Recurrent use, which interferes with school, home, or work obligations.
  
• Using the drug in hazardous situations, e.g. while driving or operating heavy machinery.
  
• Continued use of the drug despite persistent problems to health and well-being. 
  
• Development of tolerance, such that a higher amount is needed to achieve the same effects.
• Development of withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.

Am I Addicted to K2/Spice?

Addiction TreatmentIf you are looking for an inpatient treatment facility, clickhere to search for rehabs.

Here are a few signs and symptoms of addiction to K2/Spice you should not ignore:

• Denial. Are you trying to hide something by using K2/Spice? It is a popular alternative to marijuana because it eludes detection in urine tests. Remember, no one is judging you for this. It is a sign of needing some support, not a sign of moral failure.
  
• Tolerance. Do you find that you consistently need a higher amount to experience desired effects?
  
• Withdrawal. Do you vomit, have diarrhea, violent headaches, when you go without the drug? Do you have cramping pain or muscle twitching especially in your feet and legs?
• Craving. When you don’t have the drug, do you crave it? Does it occupy your time so much that friends, family and work obligations are ignored? Are you getting into risky behaviors such as driving under the influence?