Authorities respond to more K2 overdoses

Columbia police and medics continued Thursday to respond to overdoses from synthetic marijuana after authorities reported about a dozen cases Wednesday.

Police were called at about 10 a.m. Thursday to Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, which also operates a homeless shelter.

Police said they will be heavily patrolling the area and that they have received numerous reports of people near the church who were “non-responsive, having a seizure, or in cardiac arrest.”

In a press conference, Lt. Geoff Jones said, “we are going to find people selling it and arrest them.”

Five or more overdose cases happened near the church between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Batches of synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, have been cited in mass overdoses similar to the cases in Columbia in several cities. Authorities also reported several overdoses concentrated around extended stay motels.

“Because it’s out there in the community, but it’s not just the homeless population,” Lt. Jones said.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration misuse or abuse of the drug can cause health effects including anxiety, racing heartbeat and high blood pressure, intense hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

Look for more on this developing story.