ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WOWO): Drugs are on the rise in Allen County and according to Captain Kevin Hunter with Fort Wayne’s Vice and Narcotics Unit, the top five drugs plaguing Allen County are as follows:

“Right now we are certainly seeing heroin…. meth, spice or synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana and cocaine.”

He says what makes these drugs so dangerous, is people mixing them with pain medications.

“…the real issue with that is, no one knows what they’re getting when they’re buying (drugs) from the street and most likely they’re going to be mixed with fentanyl and fentanyl we know is killing people.”

Currently, the Allen County Drug Task Force has been seeing major issues with spice. 

“We know we’ve had some issues lately where people smoke it and they get very violent and psychotic and some of those people, I am told, are not coming back from their psychosis.”

When it comes to marijuana, which may be on the ballot in several states this election, Captain Hunter tells WOWO News, it’s important for users to understand that the marijuana being sold today, is not the same marijuana that was on the streets in the 1970’s.

“Back in the 1970’s the THC level was about three percent, right now we are looking at 10 or 11 percent at times. Then there is something they can make called butane honey oil that reaches like 80 or 90 percent TCH, so no it’s not the same drug.”

As the battle on drugs continues, Captain Hunter is encouraging parents to be on the lookout for any kind of drug paraphernalia, like burned spoons, pipes and needles.  He says if you find any kind of paraphernalia contact the Vice and Narcotics Unit or the Fort Wayne Allen County Department of Health.

There is also a drop box at the Fort Wayne Police Department that can be used to properly dispose of any kind of drugs.