Joaquin Junco/Staff
“Mama, help me please!” came the desperate cries from the bathroom. My 45-year-old son was sprawled on the floor clutching his heart. His eyes rolled into the back of his head with no response. I called 911 only to have him jump up and say he was fine. He was not fine. He had been smoking Spice, a synthetic cannabinoid.
Spice is derived from natural herbs sprayed with synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of cannabis or “pot” but is far more dangerous with long lasting effects. Known by the street names K2, Spice, Genie and herbal incense. These products are mimics not copies of THC. Many brands of the dangerous drug are still found in liquor stores and smoke shops here in Chula Vista.
In 2010 the Drug Enforcement Administration used its emergency powers to ban these products that can cause psychosis and could trigger a chronic psychotic disorder.
In July the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 was signed into law by President Obama. The law added certain classes of synthetic cannabinoids and two substituted cathinonesmephedrone and MDPV to the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
More than 40 states have made this product illegal so it is conceivable that eventually every state will follow suit. A new law in California makes it a misdemeanor to sell, dispense or distribute a synthetic cannabinoid compound.
Depending on the mixture of drugs, Spice causes different outcomes.
San Diego emergency room doctors have seen Spice horror stories. A 16-year-old girl was brought in unable to speak, respond to touch and catatonic. A urine test showed cannabinoids in her system. Problems with movement and speech were exhibited in a 16-year-old boy who seemed confused and only able to answer simple questions. An 18-year-old boy exhibited symptoms of aggressive, uncooperative and restless behavior with excessive sweating and agitation.
In August of 2011 the measure to ban the sale of these products was carried by California Assemblyman Ben Hueso (D-San Diego).
“We do not know what’s in them,” he said. “We only know they are creating havoc in our community.
They are causing deaths, creating hallucinations in people (and) making people
more violent.”
Spice users frequently report symptoms like:
• acute anxiety or paranoia
• panic attacks or hallucinations
• a feeling of alienation/disassociation from the world
• irregular heart beat/palpitations/tremors/seizures
While some Spice users do not consider it addictive, many doctors disagree and insist it causes permanent damage to the brain.
My 45-year-old son lying on the bathroom floor made the wrong choice and is now in prison. The damage done to his life and his brain is irreversible. The heartbreak to his family is overwhelming. The temporary high was not worth it. Not even close.
