K2 use is soaring behind bars, causing unpredictable behavior, violence and death. So, why can’t prison officials stop the flow of the drug?
The Invisible Epidemic: How K2 is Fueling Chaos in Ohio Prisons
A yearlong investigation by The Marshall Project and USA TODAY Network Ohio exposes a deadly crisis inside the state's correctional facilities. Highly addictive synthetic drugs—commonly known as K2 or "tune"—are being smuggled behind bars on chemically soaked paper, fueling unpredictable violence, psychosis, and a rising toll of fatal overdoses. Despite tens of millions of taxpayer dollars spent on drone detection and tighter security, this lucrative contraband continues to slip past the gates, often with the help of prison staff and contractors. Read the full investigation to find out why authorities are struggling to stop the flow of this undetectable and fatal drug.
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From the above story: “We've had a lot of jail and prison deaths in the last couple years,” said Alex Krotulski, the director of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education in Philadelphia, whom coroners across the country turn to for answers. K2 is driving the deaths, Krotulski said.
Five people might smoke pieces of the same sheet of paper, but only the one who hits a "hot spot" — a heavy concentration — dies. Some incarcerated people said users chasing more intense highs will seek out the same product that just killed someone. Krotulski compares it to Russian roulette.
"It really is a chaotic and crazy drug use scenario."
Meet The Drone Pilot Who Flooded Ohio Prisons With Drugs
This story was also highlighted on NPR / Sound of Ideas:
How Ohio is failing to stop prison drug smuggling, overdose deaths
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