Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force

This message is intended for emergency departments, urgent care clinics, behavioral health providers, and other health care facilities and professionals caring for patients at risk for substance misuse and abuse. 

Please distribute as appropriate

Key Messages

• There is an outbreak of “Spice” (aka: synthetic cannabinoid) overdoses in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles leading to numerous hospitalizations.
• “Spice” can lead to unpredictable and life-threatening health effects.

Suspected “Spice” cases should be referred to the nearest emergency department and reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH).

Situation

This health alert describes a recent outbreak of “Spice” (synthetic cannabinoid, K2) overdoses in the Los Angeles area that have led to numerous hospitalizations.

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