One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Shelter director: 'Spice' is the most vexing drug Skid Row has seen
Bales said he's seen the effects of spice — a synthetic form of marijuana — for years, and that its been taking a toll on the neighborhood.
(
Courtesy Andy Bales, Union Rescue Mission
)
A person who was seen "writhing in the driveway and flipping into traffic and blocking traffic" in front of Union Rescue Mission Friday is suspected to have been suffering from an overdose of the synthetic drug 'spice'.
(
Courtesy Andy Bales, Union Rescue Mission
)
The synthetic drug 'spice' is responsible for some of the most disturbing behavior Skid Row has seen, according to Union Rescue Mission CEO Andy Bales, who has worked in the area for over a decade.
Between Friday and Saturday, 10 people, including a police officer, were treated for likely overdoses of the drug. (The officer was treated after inhaling noxious fumes at the scene). All are expected to recover, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bales said he witnessed one of the first such ODs right in front of the shelter before leaving work Friday.
"The person was writhing in the driveway and flipping into traffic and blocking traffic and nearly getting run over," Bales said.
He added that he's seen the effects of spice — a synthetic form of marijuana — for years, and that its been quietly taking a heavy toll on the neighborhood.
Bales said he's seen the effects of spice — a synthetic form of marijuana — for years, and that its been taking a toll on the neighborhood.
(
Courtesy Andy Bales, Union Rescue Mission
)
"If you were to walk there tonight or today, you'd have people offering you spice every other step," he said, adding that the drug is sold openly and legally.
Sponsored message
Manufacturers stay a step in front of law enforcement by altering the chemical compounds that go into it, which are often advertised as potpourri or other seemingly harmless aromatics, Officer Deon Joseph told the L.A. Times.
The paper reports:
“They change the chemical components to make it untraceable,” Joseph said. “It's five times stronger than marijuana, and can cause two common signs of overdosing depending on the chemical components. One is the appearance of paralysis or someone being in a catatonic state for hours. Or causing them to hallucinate and go berserk for long trips. It's common to buy it on skid row for anywhere from one to two dollars for one joint. And that one hit is pretty powerful.“
"We've dealt with alcohol for years," Bales said. "We've dealt with crack cocaine. We've dealt with heroin. We've dealt with meth. But spice — and people using spice — is the most unpredictable drug we've ever had to come up against in our work."
Bales said he suspects Saturday's overdoses were a result of a bad batch that was concocted within the tents that line areas of Skid Row, where the drug is often sold and smoked. He added that the said the pungent fumes waft out along the street.
"It's a brutal smell," Bales said. "Like your neighbor burning plastic or rubber along with marijuana. I guess that's closest I can come to describing it."
Officials are investigating what substances were responsible for Friday and Saturday's emergencies.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
