Overdose Outbreak Near Yale Linked to Synthetic Cannabinoid

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — More than 30 people overdosed Wednesday from a suspected bad batch of "K2" synthetic marijuana at or near a city park in Connecticut. No deaths were reported, but officials said two people had life-threatening symptoms. JEMS: Patients May be Using Synthetic Cannabinoids More than You Think Most of the overdoses were on the New Haven Green, a popular, historic downtown park that borders part of Yale University, and officials expected the overdose total to increase. Police said they arrested a man believed to be connected to at least some of the overdoses. "Do not come down to the Green and purchase this K2," city Police Chief Anthony Campbell told WVIT-TV. "It is taking people out very quickly, people having respiratory failure. Don't put your life in harm." Paramedics and police officers were stationed at the park all day as more people fell ill. Some became unconscious and others vomited, authorities said. Emergency responders rushed to one victim as officials were giving a news conference nearby late Wednesday morning. "We literally had people running around the Green providing treatment," said Rick Fontana, the city's emergency operations director. JEMS: Treatment Considerations for Patients Using So-Called Legal Recreational Drugs Police did not immediately release the name of the man who was arrested, saying they were waiting for victims to positively identify him. New Haven first responders were...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Patient Care News Source Type: news