A rising trend among teenagers brings a warning from local medical experts in the Quad Cities.
A form of synthetic marijuana called K2 can be purchased over the counter, despite being potentially fatal.
Janet Hill of the Rock Island County Health Department says the number of cases involving severe bleeding are increasing every week.
As of Sunday, there were a total of 156 cases reported in Illinois since March 7. Many of which weren’t far from the Quad Cities, and four were fatal.
These products have medical experts on high alert because it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s in them. But they say with products such as K2, they’ve found traces of rat poison, and man-made chemicals intended for plants.
K2 is just one of several synthetic marijuana products on the shelves, and it’s often nicknamed “fake weed.”
And while it may be called fake, the effects are very real.
It has been known to cause severe bleeding, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations and vomiting among other symptoms.
“With this K2, we don’t know,” said Dr. Dave Dierk of Genesis Hospital. “And the experts don’t know, and the scientists don’t know, what actually is causing this and so we don’t know how to reverse it.”
Of the most recent tally of 156 cases reported with severe bleeding, 94 of those cases were reported within 120 miles of the Quad Cities area, the majority of which are teenagers.
Dr. Dierk says while companies may say they aren’t catering to teenagers, he doesn’t believe that.
“I think they’re catering to teenagers because that’s all I’ve seen,” he said.
And as Janet Hill of the Rock Island County Health Department continues to refresh the data week after week, she says the problem is not just serious, it’s deadly, and it’s close by.
Credit: ourquadcities.com
“It is on our radar,” said Hill. “We are not naive to think that it’s not sold here, I think we’ve just been a little bit lucky.”
While severe bleeding is the latest red flag, Dr. Dierk says he’s seen plenty of teens with other symptoms.
“I’ve seen anxiety, I’ve seen panic attacks, I’ve seen people come in with chest pain,” he said.
And says while they’re legal, from what he’s seen, they shouldn’t be.
“Throw it away and stop selling it,” said Dr. Dierk.
Hill says it’s the struggle to regulate these products that keeps them at easy access.
“Regulators are chasing it,” said Hill.
And Dr. Dierk says the medical field simply can’t keep up with these companies.
“Frankly these companies are staying ahead of the scientific community.”
And now both Hill and Dr. Dierk say as long as you can access these products in the Quad Cities, you’re at risk, because you can’t be sure what’s mixed into each packet.
“There’s no reason to believe that putting chemicals that you don’t know what they are in your body is a good idea,” said Hill.
And these experts warn others to steer clear of these products, because it could save your life.
Anyone experiencing severe bleeding or other symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Credit: ourquadcities.com
