By Corrections1 Staff
LINCOLN, Neb. — In a letter to Nebraska inmates, Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes didn’t mince words in writing about the dangers of the K2 drug.
Frakes said the unpredictability and potential deadliness of the K2 drug, also known as synthetic marijuana, has led to several challenges within the 10 prisons in the department, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.
“Spending your final moments on earth covered in your own vomit, convulsing and sliding into respiratory failure is a sad legacy,” Frakes said.
The drug’s unpredictable effects can also lead to danger among prison employees and emergency responders. Employees at Lincoln prisons said they could be assaulted, vomited on, cursed at or even sexually harassed by those under the influence of the drug.
When an inmate exhibits symptoms, responders often have trouble treating the patient because they cannot rule out any other health-related problems unless the inmate tells them that they used the drug.
Frakes said he hopes the message will convince inmates to avoid the drama or to talk to others about the potential harm.