Drugs a serious problem in Houston, business owner says

Police begin cracking down on synthetic marijuana

HOUSTON – Just after noon Friday, a man was seen near Main and Richmond just southwest of Midtown, standing still, appearing to be asleep. People who work and live in this area said it is a common sight.

"(I've) seen everything," said Drew West, the owner and operator of Total Nutrition in Midtown. "People crawling on the ground, kissing every crack as they crawl by."

West said he has seen an increase in people who appear to be high on drugs, crawling and even rolling around Midtown. He said some wear clothes, but others do not.

"An 18-year-old kid, right, started out here, (and) used to ask me to use my phone," West said. "I gradually saw him get worse and worse -- face change (and) body change. He wasn't even wearing clothes one day."

West said that since the mayor instructed Houston police to increase patrols in city parks, such as Hermann Park, he has seen more people wandering around nearby Midtown who appear to be out of their minds. He and other business owners have called police who, he said, have increased patrols in the area. But business owners said they want the drug problem to go away for good.

"I'm nearby, so I could see daily and every moment," business owner Jose Ferrero said. "I watch through cameras. There's a lot of addiction to K2. It's unfortunate, right? They have very easy access to it. It costs nothing."

Houston police asks anyone who sees people congregating, who appear to be doing drugs, to please call the Police Department's Narcotics Division at 713-308-3300.