Parishioners and clergy at the south side’s St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church see first-hand the affects of “spice,” the addictive synthetic marijuana sold in the smoke shops and on the streets near the church.

Addicts, most hooked on the cheap drug sold in small packets, walk like zombies in the morning to the church’s social services center — Casa San Juan — looking for handouts of food and water. Once they are helped, church officials ask them to leave to help prevent problems from arising.

“They are mostly men, sometimes women, between the ages of 18 to 40, who live on the streets,” said Msgr. Raúl Trevizo, pastor of the church. Some occasionally show up with bruises, probably from fighting or falling down because of their altered state during their high, he said.

Trevizo said he and parishioners are hosting a public meeting Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. inside the church, 602 W. Ajo Way, to talk about the issue, brought to light last month when the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tucson police and several other law enforcement agencies raided businesses and homes as part of a multi-city investigation into the sale of the synthetic cannabinoids. At least 18 people were arrested in Tucson and two other cities.