NH Gov. Declares “State of Emergency” Following Overdoses

Police in Manchester, New Hampshire said they have now responded to more than 40 overdoses this week from the consumption of the synthetic drug spice

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan declared a State of Emergency on Thursday after reports of more than 40 overdoses linked to consumption of the synthetic drug spice.

The drug, chemically similar to THC, has led to 44 overdoses in just a few days in Manchester.

Concord Police have reported three more cases in the past 24 hours.

One of the men who overdosed in Manchester is Luba Majak.

"I saw how I was looking, when I was shaking," Majak said.

He says he's smoked the product advertised as incense and casually called "spice" or "K2" easily 15 times before.

But it wasn't until Sunday when he smoked bubble gum Smacked, that he had this reaction.

"I had five seizures," he said. "I was butt naked, so they had to put me to sleep."

Ambulances in Manchester have rushed dozens to hospitals, says Manchester Police Sgt. Brian O'Keefe.

Most of the overdoses have been at three city parks.

Sgt. O'Keefe described patients in a catatonic state who eventually come to and are combative.

Police have shut down three markets, their licenses revoked, all in the area of those parks, for selling the Smacked brand of spice.

Gov. Hassan's State of Emergency allows the health department to quarantine or destroy the product.

"These products pose a serious threat to public health, especially to young people, and it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to combat the recent rash of overdoses," Hassan said.

Majak has advice for anyone who would consider using the product.

"Please don't try that," he said.

There have been no deaths reported in Manchester or in Concord, NH which has seen a few cases.

The state of emergency can last for up to 21 days.

Contact Us