Police in Montes de Oca, otherwise known as San Pedro, the eastern San José district where the main University of Costa Rica campus is situated, responded to a call yesterday morning after witnesses saw a group of young men acting strangely outside of Venue Bar.

The Public Security Ministry reported that police officers assisted 15 youth who were apparently under the influence of a strong drug. The canine unit and officers of the Regional Anti-Drug Program (PRAD) arrived to look for search for drugs in and around the site, and detected traces of K2, cocaine and marijuana, said the ministry.

Eight of the youth, several of whom were convulsing and obviously intoxicated, were transferred to the nearby Calderón Guardia Hospital. As of yesterday, two were in critical condition, three were stable, and three had been released.

Police noted that since April of last year, they have responded to eleven reports of problems at bars in Montes de Oca, including the Venue Bar, which in addition to being forced to close for 24-hours after this most recent incident, was also closed temporarily last year due to permit problems.

Police suspect the youth had taken K2, known as ‘Spice’ or synthetic marijuana, and which originated on the black market in New York in 2015. It can either be inhaled or mixed into a drink, and is a mixture of herbs and spices sprayed a synthetic compound that mimics THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active substance in marijuana.

The drug acts very quickly and its effects can be deadly; they can include rapid rise in blood pressure, heart attack, and impulsive or aggressive behaviors, and its long term use can cause kidney and other health problems.

K2 has been around in Costa Rica since last year, and goes for a mere C2,000 colones per dose (about $3.60), said police, making it attractive for young people.

Drug addiction experts call K2 the “zombie” drug as users readily lose all awareness of their surroundings and behavior.

In New York City in 2015 at least 6,000 people were treated for K2 overdoses, while another 13 died, according to mainstream news reports.

San Pedro’s Venue Bar, Dope Bar and Spot Bar have been frequently cited by police over the past year for a number of violations including fights, staying open beyond their permitted time, serving minors, drug use on the premises, as well as other infractions.