A LEADING drugs charity has said that it has concerns over the growing use of the drug ‘spice’ in Glasgow.
Turning Point Scotland has said that it is worried about the growing use of synthetic cannabinoids, often referred to as spice, after many of its service users reported it be appearing more regularly in the city.
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The drug has been in Britain for more than a decade but has become commonly used among the homeless population in recent years.
So-called legal highs including spice, laughing gas and mephedrone were banned last year after being linked to more than 100 deaths and a rise in violent assaults in prisons across the country.
Spice, a highly addictive psychoactive substance, was initially marketed as having the same effects as cannabis but is thought to be around 10 times stronger than actual cannabis plants.
Users have been described as going into a ‘zombie-like’ state after taking the drug.
Wendy Spencer, Director of Operations at Turning Point Scotland said that its presence in Glasgow is a worry for the organisation.
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She added: “We have real concerns about the growing use of synthetic cannabinoids in Glasgow, which can cause serious physical and psychological harm to people using them.
“People we support are reporting to Turning Point Scotland staff that Spice is appearing more regularly in the city.
“Physical health issues caused by taking the drug include increased heart rate, seizure activity, breathlessness and vomiting.
“Psychological effects include extreme agitation, paranoia and a level of disassociation from reality rarely experienced with other substances.
“This substance has caused concern for front line staff due to the extreme effects on the user and a lack of knowledge around the drug’s content.
“Rough sleepers and the homeless community are particularly at risk and we have concerns these vulnerable groups are being deliberately targeted by people pushing these substances.
“The most important thing is keeping people safe.”
Those working for the organisation have reported that spice is more prevalent in youth homeless.
Youth Homelessness services found that the issue was worsened when the so-called legal highs were outside the Misuse of Drugs Act and could be freely consumed.
A Turning Point Scotland worker at the Glasgow Drugs Crisis Centre noted a wider increase in problematic cannabis use, specifically among younger users, with stronger ‘skunk’ cannabis being more regularly used.
However, synthetic cannabis has caused concern for the charities front line staff due to the extreme effects on the user.
Veteran drug users who have tried the drug report that it is “lethal” with too many negative effects for them to contemplate using it again, according to TPS.
Issues relating to the use of spice have been widely reported elsewhere in the UK with two people dying of suspected spice-related incidents in just one day last week.
Over one recent weekend in Manchester, police recorded 58 spice-linked incidents.
Police Scotland confirmed that a small number of cases allegedly linked to the drug are being looked at.
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