Zombie-like ‘spice’ overdoses spread in Alabama’s neighboring states

In a disturbing trend, “The Walking Dead” is jumping off of the small screen and into real-life parks and neighborhoods in Alabama’s neighboring states.

Several southeastern states — most notably Florida — have recently seen “unprecedented” cases of overdoses from spice, a type of synthetic marijuana. The Florida cities of Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg have seen a particularly significant spike in calls about the drug. Individuals who use the drug are often left in various states of delirium; many are barely able to talk or move. More extreme cases involved encounters with users who were incredibly violent or convulsive. The drug has been especially prevalent in the homeless community around these cities.

“We called the police because there was a guy screaming so gutturally I though he was going to pop a blood vessel,” said one resident of Clearwater.

Spice has become an increasingly dangerous form of synthetic marijuana because some manufacturers have been experimenting with the ingredients to such a degree that many users don’t even know exactly what they’re taking. Many of the “zombies” in Florida are immediately rushed to the hospital for fear of how much spice they have consumed. Emergency rooms are struggling to handle the surge of spice-affected patients.

RELATED: Officials say a startling ‘drug epidemic’ is sweeping across Alabama

Some business owners and other good Samaritans have taken water to people in areas where spice use is high so users don’t get too sick and possibly die.

So far, no one has died from the recent spice outbreak, but as one police spokesman said, “You wonder when somebody’s going to have a heart attack and die from some of these substances.”

Florida police and medical professionals are working together to find a “cure” for the spice outbreak before it becomes more widespread or deadly.

Hopefully the spice outbreak does not make its way up to Alabama. But if it does, Alabamians should be prepared to handle zombie-like symptoms. Not only do we watch “The Walking Dead” more than any other state in the country, but our very own Huntsville is also ranked in the top 10 best states in the U.S. to survive a zombie apocalypse.