Pubdate: Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Source: Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Copyright: 2014 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.unionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761
Author: Pat Grossmith

CITY SHUTS DOWN 3 STORES AFTER SPICE OVERDOSES

MANCHESTER - City officials have shut down three convenience stores
that allegedly sold the synthetic marijuana "spice" connected to at
least 34 overdoses in the last few days.

Han's Food Mart, 353 Maple St., Union Street Market, 621 Union St. and
TN Convenience, 90 Bridge St., sold a brand called "Smacked" that city
officials said is linked to the overdoses, according to Mayor Ted Gatsas.

The city closed the stores and revoked the businesses' licenses "for
conducting business activities which endanger the public health,
welfare, and safety of local residents," Gatsas said in a written statement.

Police Sgt. Brian O'Keefe said police do not know about all drug
overdoses, even those involving heroin or cocaine, because of the
confidentiality concerning medical records.

But since the overdoses began happening on Monday, O'Keefe said police
have learned of 34 cases in which people overdosed on spice.

The synthetic marijuana is marketed as potpourri, labeled "not for
human consumption" and sells for $10 a packet. Spice is a mixture of
herbs and spices typically sprayed with a synthetic compound,
chemically similar to THC, according to O'Keefe. However, law
enforcement said people commonly smoke it as a way to get high.

The city declared a public health hazard on Tuesday. That same day,
O'Keefe said officers went to all of the city's 55 convenience stores
to ensure the drug - packaged in brightly colored packets called
"Smacked" - was off the shelves.

O'Keefe said investigators determined the bubblegum-flavored Spice was
the one responsible for the overdoses.

The designer drug began showing up in Manchester in 2011. It became
illegal in New Hampshire on Aug. 18, 2012, but continues to be sold
because the chemical content is constantly changed by the
manufacturers so that it falls within legal limits, O'Keefe said.

The series of overdoses began at 11:30 a.m. Monday when three
unconscious people were found near the basketball courts at Pulaski
Park, 125 Bridge St. All were in medical distress, unresponsive and
lethargic, police said.

They were taken to a hospital for treatment. Later, about 4 p.m.
another person was found in Victory Park suffering from similar
symptoms and was taken to a hospital.

Police said a fifth person was found about 6:30 p.m. in Bronstein
Park. The woman was unresponsive; information gathered at the scene
indicated she may have ingested pice.

Ultimately, investigators learned from AMR ambulance that at least 15
or more people were taken to area hospitals in the previous 24 hours
for treatment of overdoses believed related to spice.

This is not the first time the city has dealt with such
overdoses.

In October 2012, five ambulances were sent to Manchester Central High
School, where teens had overdosed on the synthetic marijuana.

Calls for help continued through Tuesday, according to
police.

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New Hampshire Union Leader staff reporter Ted Siefer contributed to
this report.
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