Struggle With Man High On 'Spice' Prompts Warning From Woodinville Police

WOODINVILLE, WA - A recent encounter with a 25-year-old man high on the synthetic "spice" drug has prompted Woodinville police to issue a warning about the drug. Police recently struggled with a man who was found sitting in the road along North Woodinville Way last Friday.

According to police, a deputy found the man sitting in the middle of North Woodinville Way near 144th Avenue Northeast. When the deputy tried to engage the man, he advanced toward the officer and began ranting; the man then told the officer he was going to get in the police car.

It took three deputies to restrain the man, who later admitted to smoking "spice," which contains synthetic cannabinoids and is supposed to mimic marijuana. Such drugs can feel like marijuana, but also cause unwanted side effects, like psychosis and accelerated heart rate.

Spice and its alternates (sometimes called K2) were introduced in the mid-2000s, and have subsequently been outlawed in many states. Up to 20 deaths have been recorded related to the drug.

Woodinville police reported that last Friday's incident was the third such spice-related encounter they've had recently.

"Everyone, please do your research and react accordingly," Woodinville police warned. "For those of you with kids, please talk to your kids about the dangers of illegal drug use and talk to them often. We all need to know and understand just how dangerous these drugs can be."

Image via U.S. Marines/Creative Commons