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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS -- The Cottonwood Heights Police Department is trying to get the word out to its residents about the dangers of using spice.
Spice is sold legally as a type of incense. But Detective Beau Babka says police are seeing a lot of young people and even adults smoking spice or sniffing it as a way to get high.
"We are seeing overdoses. We are seeing young adults, adults that are going into rehab for this particular type of use," said Babka.
Several Utah police agencies have been asking for the Legislature to pass a law that classifies spice as a drug similar to marijuana, since it gives people a high similar to pot.
Babka says one real problem they're seeing is people getting high on spice and then driving.
He says under current law, police can't test a person for using spice. But, police will cite someone for abusing spice if officers observe them using it. Even then, using spice inappropriately is still only a minor citation, similar to huffing paint fumes.
Babka says parents need to be educated on the dangers of spice. Police also are asking stores to voluntarily stop selling it.
Spice is sold under many brand names: Black Mamba, Pep Spice, Bliss, Dragon and Bombay Blue.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
