***Things Are Getting SPICY in the Queen City***

We have all heard about the problem that has been running wild in Manchester for the last few days. Bronstein Park in the center of the city has been overrun with the drug "spice" also known as "K2". Overdose calls seemed to be a daily routine for the responders but they were for heroin. Now in just 2 days over 11 (edit: as I am writing this 3 more have gone) people have been transported to the hospital for seizures and being violently ill. What is the point? You spend some money to get a little high and then end up in the hospital with medical bills and possibly drug possession charges? Is it really worth it?

So what is "spice"? It is a synthetic pot that is made up of shredded plants, spices, and herbs. It is sprayed down with a synthetic THC-like chemical that is supposed to bring about a psychoactive high. It often looks like potpourri and is sold generally in small baggies. Spice is consumed much like marijuana. It is rolled into joints, put into pipes, and some even make tea with it.

What is the point? People get a high off of this synthetic drug. Unfortunately it also comes with the following nasty side effects that don't generally come along with pot:

- Paleness
- Increased agitation
- Seizures
- Profuse sweating
- Vomiting
- Lack of pain response
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Spastic body movements
- Heart palpitations

Yes...because all of that sounds completely worth the few hours of a high that you won't even know that you have because you are too busy convulsing in the middle of the road.

Just as I was writing this another call came through for a group of 11 people all doing spice in the middle of Bronstein Park. Why this park is so popular for doing drugs? Why do these people not learn from the now 13 others that have gone before them in the last 48 hours? It is pure stupidity. This is not the first time that spice has made an appearance in this park either. In October of 2012 a group of Central High students were violently ill because they had overdosed on spice. There were 8 in all.

Stupid and senseless and a waste of a good park that should be used by running children, people reading books, or students doing their homework.