Bad drug batch in Spokane suspected in Tuesday death and hallucinogenic behavior

One person is dead and perhaps 20 others have been hurt and affected by what Spokane Police are warning could be a bad batch of drugs coursing through the city.

The drug appears to be some sort of stimulant that is leading users to hallucinate, act unpredictably and sometimes violently, according to a press release issued Tuesday night. Police received a dramatic rise in drug-related calls Tuesday.

Many of the people affected have been walking in the middle of the street hallucinating and yelling randomly at people or things that are not there.

Officer Nick Briggs reported that some of the people have been violent when approached by police. Multiple people have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

While police said the cases can not necessarily be linked, the Tuesday call load suggests a common drug may be responsible.

People should avoid confronting or attempting to help people acting erratically and instead call 911, according to police.