The Vicksburg community is taking positive steps in a proactive approach to head off a dangerous drug trend before it becomes deeply entrenched here.

A community forum is set for 5 p.m., Monday, July 20 at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library at Veto and Walnut streets to give information about a synthetic drug commonly referred to as spice and the dangers it poses.

“If we can bring more awareness to Vicksburg and Warren County, that would help tremendously,” said Peter Anderson, a substance abuse counselor at Warren-Yazoo Mental Health. Anderson is right. Members of the community need to know about this drug, and the forum will be a great place to answer any questions residents have.

In the Sunday edition of The Vicksburg Post, we presented views from law enforcement, health professionals and a man who both used and sold the drug that was designed to mimic the effects of marijuana but has had much more dangerous and deadly consequences across the state.  All made the drug sound dangerous and unappealing.

“It is a hodgepodge of dangerous chemicals that in many cases causes violent outbursts and life threatening health issues with those that use it,” Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said.

Perhaps most telling was the testimony of a spice user who said strength of the product varied wildly and caused panic attacks and a seizure.

“There were a few times I would hit it once or twice and go into panic attack mode,” the man said.

Some users experience hyperactivity and can become violent. Many experience the sensation of being on fire and consequently strip off their clothing. They begin to sweat and some report feeling their body is on fire.

“What I’ve seen is that they’re almost hallucinating in a way. They’re very, very nervous and irrational,” Vicksburg police Lt. Troy Kimble said of his experience arresting spice users. “They’re sweating profusely. Their temperature seems to be high, and their eyes seem to be enlarged.”

Parents, teens and adults should certainly make plans to attend the forum.  The dangers are real, and our community has a chance to stop the epidemic before it starts.