The illegal high spice has probably helped cause drug-related deaths among homeless Nottingham people, a city charity believes.
Michael Leng, operations director for Framework, spoke after a surge in the numbers of people needing urgent medical treatment after collapsing in the city centre while using the drug.
East Midlands Ambulance Service says 32 people needed help from paramedics between Saturday and Sunday alone (July 29-August 1) after being found unconscious with the distinctive “zombie-like” symptoms of the drug.
Disturbing photos and video taken by passers-by have shown groups of people slumped in doorways or in the street, apparently unable to stand or communicate.
Drug support workers say many of the people affected are already street homeless and dealing with other addictions, and the surge could being driven by a drop in price of the drug.
“We’ve certainly had individuals who have passed away or died suddenly as a result of their drug misuse, and perhaps a relationship with alcohol as well and mamba or spice is present within that,” said Leng.
“It’s cheap, it’s potent, and it’s available. It’s very easy to go and get.
“These drugs are new, and they are new to the authorities as well, and new to the criminal justice services. Control of the substance is harder. They have only recently been made illegal and it creates a time when people are trying to track down the individuals who are manufacturing, the supply chains, the sellers.”
Final, official, causes of death are determined by post mortem examinations and sometimes coroner-led inquests.
Video: Footage sent by a member of the public shows three people collapsed in Peel Street, Nottingham, showing symptoms of having taken spice.
Spice or mamba were formerly known as ‘legal highs’ but were made illegal a year ago.
They are forms of synthetic cannabinoids which are a class of chemicals sprayed on to plants or other base substances. Although originally designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, the effects of spice are often far more potent, causing unconsciousness and in some cases breathing difficulties.
A total of 25 deaths were linked to drug misuse in Nottingham city between 2014 and 2016. This is one less than the three year period from 2013-2015.
In Nottinghamshire county the same periods saw 62 and 64 deaths respectively. More recent figures and cause of death by drug locally were not immediately available, but national figures released yesterday show synthetic cannabinoids played a part in 22 deaths in England and Wales last year – compared with 14 in 2015.
