Spike in LSD use prompts warning for Santa Cruz parents

“I used LSD twice,” recovering drug and alcohol addict, Lorenzo Johnson said. “Some friends gave it to me.”

Johnson tried LSD when he was a teenager just to fit in. But he said the highs weren’t always fun.

“The last time, it was a very bad trip,” Johnson said. “I saw my wall turn into milk and I feel like I had butterflies in my stomach.”

Bad enough that Johnson said he never did it again. But many teens are experimenting with the drug. On Thursday, a teenager was rushed to the hospital having a seizure.

This case comes not long after 15-year-old Luke Smith was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy when he allegedly tried to stab his father and uncle.

Last week, a man high on LSD fought with CHP officers.

“We’ve had 17 case numbers taken since January, and three in the last month, obviously, that have been significant in our opinion,” said Sgt. Chris Clark with Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

Meth cases were the highest at more than 460. Heroin cases topped 330 and there were 69 cocaine related incidents this year.

But it’s the recent spike in LSD cases that has the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issuing a warning.

Sgt. Clark is even talking to his own kids about it.

“What are they hearing, then again echoing the fact that the decision to take drugs can drastically change your life,” Clark said.

Recovering addict Michael Shirley, now 9 years sober, knows how bad it can be.

“My high school sweet heart, it took one year, and she lost her career, she lost our high school education, she lost her daughter,” Shirley said.

And his warning is even more personal.

“You should know if there is a slight change, and pay attention to those things. I know life happens, but please pay attention to your loved ones, because you can possibly lose them if you don’t,” Shirley said.

The sheriff’s office says it’s actively looking into where these drugs are coming from and who’s selling them.

Those responsible will face serious charges.