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Wasp spray is being used as a meth alternative, West Virginia police say

Posted at 9:09 PM, Jul 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-16 21:09:50-04

BOONE Co., W.Va. – Police say wasp spray is now being used as an alternative form of meth in one West Virginia county, a potentially deadly substance already tied to three overdoses last week.

“We’re seeing this here on the streets in Boone County,” Sgt. Charles Sutphin told WCHS. “People are making a synthetic type methamphetamine out of wasp spray.”

The local TV station reports that retailers in Boone County sold 30 cans of the insect killer last Friday alone.

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Ingesting the spray can cause bizarre behavior, Sutphin said, along with swollen, red hands and feet.

Police are reportedly working with local poison control centers and medical experts to find an effective treatment for someone under the influence of substance.

“It’s a cheap fix, and you don’t know what their overall result of their usage of this is going to be,” Sutphin told WCHS.