ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An Anchorage woman is looking for spice users and asking them to destroy their synthetic drug in exchange for marijuana.
Health officials are considering approaches to what the Anchorage Police Department called the city’s spice epidemic. Nicole Crites says she made her first spice destruction, harm reduction encounter on Friday.
“Just driving down Karluk Street, anytime of day, you’ll find people passed out from it,” Crites said. “I don’t see it addressed by anybody. I don’t.”
Her husband’s Absolutely Chronic Delivery Company is sponsoring the effort.
“I just need to go forward,” Crites said. “If you feel like you’re doing something right, you do it.”
Anchorage Municipal Attorney’s Office says Crites’ actions are potentially within the law. APD released a statement Friday that says it doesn’t believe giving people pot for destroying spice is the solution.
“The Anchorage Police Department’s primary concern is the health and safety of our citizens and we do not believe trading marijuana for spice is the solution to the spice epidemic in our community,” the statement says. “We also want residents to consider the potential legality issues with trading marijuana for something of value and being in possession of spice.”
Crites cannot possess spice and can only give marijuana to people who are legally allowed to possess it.
