SARASOTA, FL. – Several more people have been hospitalized after smoking the drug ‘Spice’.
Three people collapsed and were transported to the hospital after smoking 'spice' on Friday around 10 a.m.
Two people collapsed at 400 Lemon Avenue in Sarasota and one person collapsed at 507 Kumquat Court in Sarasota after having an adverse reaction to the chemicals in the 'spice.'
Earlier this week, 4 other people collapsed at Five Points Park for the same issues dealing with smoking 'spice.' That brings the total number to date to seven people.
Chief Bernadette DiPino addressed the media earlier this week and said "We are going to try to determine who actually sold it, how it was made, who made it and bring those individuals to justice also."
She also says police officers will begin buying 'spice' and added, "If we find that the substance that they're selling is illegal, we will prosecute to the fullest extent that we can."
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 'spice' refers to a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana. They are marketed as "safe," legal alternatives to that drug. 'Spice' is sold under many names, including K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, G-10 and others, and it’s labeled, "not for human consumption. These products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects.
