ROANOKE (WSLS10)-- A new warning about synthetic marijuana after what appears to be a mass drug overdose.
The drug that first made an appearance several years ago is being blamed for making 33 people in New York sick Tuesday night. Witnesses say some people were laying on the sidewalk, shaking and leaning against trees and fire hydrants. All of them were taken to the hospital for treatment.
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Synthetic marijuana has been around since 2008, going by many different names including spice and K2. While the drug is illegal in Virginia, it's still available at gas station and smoke shops in other states across the nation.
Virginia passed laws banning the chemicals used in synthetic marijuana, only to be sidestepped by chemists who changed the recipe and continued to market and sell the drug. Now the law on the drug is wider reaching-- covering all forms of synthetic marijuana.
Overall, the use of synthetic marijuana has declined in Virginia, but at one point the drug was the second most frequently used illicit substance among high school seniors, only behind marijuana.
Scientists at the University of Arkansas have just launched a five-year study on the drug, the largest ever, thanks to a $3 million government grant. They're working to study the lasting impacts and warn the world about how dangerous it is.
Dr. Paul Stromberg at Carilion Clinic says the chemicals used in the drug were manufactured at labs in Richmond and Clemson. Those chemicals were never designed to be used on people.
"It's basically a liquid that's sprayed onto an organic material," says Dr. Stromberg. "It's not an edible herb you would normally use, but sometimes catnip or something like that. There have been some episodes where patients have had longer lasting periods of schizophrenia-type symptoms, like hallucinations and paranoia."
Doctors say all it takes is one time using the drug for the long term damage to be done impacting the kidneys and liver. The drug can also lead to seizures, strokes and even death.
While the use of synthetic marijuana is down in the state of Virginia, local police say their biggest issue is with methamphetamine. Southwest Virginia is one of the least populated regions of Virginia, yet places like Pulaski, Giles and Wythe Counties have some of the biggest issues with meth in the entire state. State Police say the 11 counties that make up the New River Valley and areas west, are responsible for nearly 85% of meth busts statewide.
Roanoke City and Montgomery Country police say meth is one of the most common drugs they're seeing.
Many believe the issues tarted to our west, in Tennessee and Kentucky, spreading further and further into Virginia over the past ten years.
Experts say meth is one of the most destructive drugs, with a return to use rate as high as 95% after just two uses. That's compared to a 20% return to use rate for heroin or crack cocaine.
Dr. Stromberg says the number of meth cases he sees continues to grow, especially in Montgomery County and the New River Valley. He says the impacts meth has on the body are visible and very severe.
"Patients who had a nice skin complection start to get this sunken and sallow look, with lots of lesions on their face and all over their bodies," he says. "It takes a toll on their bodies. It isn't good for the heart, isn't good for the lungs and blood vessels. It increases your risk for strokes and heart attacks as well."
He says the drug also decreases the amount of saliva that's produced in the mouth, which leads to dental issues and blood infections.
Experts estimate 1.5 million people nationwide are addicted to meth, something police are constantly working to crack down as the issue spreads into our region.