Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway is asking for police help in fighting the growing problem of K2 on the streets of Deep Ellum.
The drug problem in one area of Dallas has gotten so bad one city leader says it's ruining businesses and endangering the public.
Dallas City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway is concerned about the synthetic drug known as K2 and he wants police to step up patrols in Deep Ellum to do something about it.
The Deep Ellum is known for its alternative style and eclectic charm, but it's also a district Caraway said has seen its fair share of crime thanks to increased use of K2.
"It's killing business. It's killing the visitors that are coming, the panhandling is greater," said Caraway.
Caraway said he's on a crusade to fight the sale of K2 on the streets of Deep Ellum, calling it an epidemic.
"I look for results and I'm looking for immediate results," he said, calling on the Dallas Police Department to help in the fight.
Although a city-wide ban on the drug was passed in 2010, residents said it's still a problem.
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"We were walking and my niece is like, 'What's going on ... there's like people laying on the streets and walking around acting crazy,' she was a little scared," said resident Courtney Easter.
"They're not themselves. You see people that strip out of their clothes when they're on K2, you see people that bang their heads on the walls," I mean that's terrifying to anyone," said Carlos Davis.
Caraway is also reaching out to DART to add targeted enforcement on the transit system to help stop the flow of illegal drugs into Deep Ellum. DART officials told NBC 5 that they are addressing the problem at the Deep Ellum Station and surrounding areas in the Central Business District.
"They've got to resolve the problem bottom line," Caraway said. It is something he asked Dallas police to address last week during a public safety meeting.
Dallas police did not respond to NBC 5 regarding Caraway's concerns.
About K2
- K2, or "spice," is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of marijuana, but the manufactured version can be far more potent -- even deadly.
- It is a mixture of herbs and spices that is typically sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredients in marijuana, according to the DEA.
- It is commonly purchased in head shops, tobacco shops and over the Internet.
- It is often marketed as incense or "fake weed."
- It is typically sold in small, silvery plastic bags of dried leaves and marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is said to resemble potpourri.
- All 50 states have banned cannabinoids by outlawing specific compounds since 2011. A federal law in 2012 added certain cannabinoids to the U.S. controlled substances list.
K2 Spice (Text)
