‘Spice’ not nice: Use
up for synthetic ‘weed’
that causes violent reactions

March 27, 2015
Santa Paula News

It was when law enforcement agencies throughout the county began to receive complaints from patrol officers and officers assigned to local schools of incidents where “Spice” was involved that they realized what a growing menace it is. 

Spice, at least this kind, is not nice: Several incidents — including those reported in Santa Paula — involved students that had become violent and aggressive while at school and officers had to request medical aid for the students that were under the influence of “Spice.”

The detectives found several other incidents where patrol officers had physical altercations with subjects throughout Ventura County under the influence of Spice and they described the individuals as having super human strength.

The Western Ventura County Narcotics Task Force — which includes personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Franchise Tax Board, Oxnard Police, Simi Valley Police, and Santa Paula Police departments — got to work and in recent weeks served warrants at more than 32 smoke shops.

Of those targeted nine, including two in Santa Paula, were found to be selling “Spice” but charges are dependent on the chemical makeup of the material, sold as “Not for Human Consumption.”

Because the chemicals used in “Spice” have a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the Drug Enforcement Administration has made many of the active chemicals most frequently found in “Spice” illegal. However, according to the task force, “The people making these products continuously try to avoid these laws by altering the chemicals in their mixtures to circumvent emergency legislation.”

Sellers of “Spice” products try to lead people to believe the ingredients are “natural” and therefore harmless, but they are neither. 

“Spice” is the second-most popular illegal drug used by high school seniors (marijuana is the first). 

“Easy access and the misperception that ‘Spice’ is ‘natural’ and safe have likely contributed to these higher rates of use. Its side effects, like the ingredients, often vary, but emergency rooms report seeing people with rapid heart rates, vomiting, agitation, and hallucinations,” who are under its influence.

“Using Spice,” notes the task force’s statement, “can lead to abuse and even addiction as the body builds up tolerance to the drug’s effects over time and craves a higher dose to achieve the same effect.”

If you’re a parent, talk to your teens about “Spice.”

“It’s not safe. It’s not natural. In fact, no one really knows what’s in a package of ‘Spice,’ ” as manufacturers are using a variety of unknown chemical combinations to evade D.E.A. regulations. 

If you have information about “Spice” and locations where these products are being sold, call the Santa Paula Police Department. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Paula Police Department, 525-4474.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 933-5691 or email tips to tipline@spcity.org

Or, call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477); the call is not recorded and the caller may remain anonymous.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). 

Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org   

The Western Ventura County Narcotics Task Force will continue to investigate the sellers and manufacturers of Spice products.





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