Spice epidemic at record high with 30,000 hospital admissions last year linked to drug – our map shows worst-hit areas
THERE were more than 30,000 hospital admissions linked to zombie drug Spice, weed and other cannabinoids last year - up six times from 2008.
Spice users are often homeless, either living in hostels or on the streets.
Experts claim the drug is sold to the homeless, addicts and those with mental health issues because they are less likely to be scared of the dangerous side-effects.
It comes in up to 100 chemical variations, making the effects of each batch completely unpredictable.
Spice was formerly a legal high but was banned in 2016.
It's designed to mimic the effects of cannabis, but can have severe debilitating effects.
It was given the "zombie" label after users were seen twitching or in a catatonic state.
Users have been pictured slumped over on benches in city centres after taking the drug sold for as little as £5.
HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS SOARING
The data from England and Wales, released by NHS Digital, shows all the hospital admissions for illnesses linked to the use of Spice, cannabis and other cannabinoids.
Last year there were 33,364 hospital admissions. It is the highest figure ever recorded and compares to 5,943 in 2008.
Although the data does not break down each individual substance, officials fear the rise is mainly due to the increasing use of Spice.
Spice featured on 60 death certificates in 2018, compared to 24 the previous year and none in 2013.
Our map reveals Lambeth in South London is the biggest problem area.
Doctors there dealt with a massive 1,060 admissions last year.
The next worst-hit areas were Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.
In Manchester, an estimated 95 per cent of all homeless people use Spice.
What is synthetic cannabis and why is it called the zombie drug?
The synthetic cannabinoids collectively known as Spice are made up of a range of amphetamines and other laboratory-created chemicals that vary wildly from batch to batch.
Users smoke, drink or eat Spice, often in tea.
It is highly addictive with withdrawal symptoms said to be worse than coming off crack or heroin.
Users can suffer vomiting, seizures, terrifying hallucinations and severe psychotic episodes after consuming the drug.
Spice was formerly a legal high but was outlawed in 2016, meaning it is now an offence to have it for personal use, supply it or have it with intent to supply.
It came to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s in British prisons, where it could be easily smuggled in, either soaked on to letters or passed over by visitors - before finding its way onto the streets.
It's sold on the streets for as little as £5 for a 0.5g bag.
Rosanna O’Connor, Director of Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco at Public Health England, said: "Many synthetic cannabinoids are powerful drugs and particularly risky.
"They can be more potent than cannabis and batches often vary in strength, making it easy to use too much and, as many are new drugs, their effects are not yet well understood.
"Local authorities are responsible for assessing and responding to the local need for alcohol and drug treatment.
"Some cities have had some success in curbing the emerging problem with spice and we are sharing what has worked well with other councils facing similar problems."
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Peter Reynolds, president of CLEAR Cannabis Law Reform, added: "The figures don’t differentiate between cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids – in other words spice.
"As we all know the harms and incidents around spice are massive compared to cannabis.
"It's actually dozens of highly dangerous toxic drugs which can cause severe health problems – which cannabis simply doesn’t.
"The only reason that spice has become popular is because when it was initially available it wasn't illegal, and cannabis was."
