He has the face of someone who looks both older and younger than his 37 years. I shoplift. I get my benefits as well. But this was a seductive lie. The chemicals are called synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists SCRAs. But the SCRAs produced unwelcome side-effects and the drug giants discontinued their research. For many years they were forgotten, the blueprints for their manufacture lying idle in university archives.
But because these were discontinued, a lot of the understanding of how these work in the body is not fully understood. Originally it was just a brand name for one of the many of the legal highs or new psychoactive drugs on the market.
But soon it became the generic term for all of them, an elision that masks the often wildly different toxicity and potency levels associated with the different strains of spice circulating on the market at any one time.
Recognition brought notoriety. A once obscure drug started showing up in presentations to hospital. But the deaths tell only part of the story. But the drug now consumes a disproportionate amount of her time and resources. Because they collapse, members of the public think they need an ambulance. Growing public alarm about the threat posed by legal highs led the government to introduce the Psychoactive Substances Act last year.
The legislation not only banned their sale, but introduced the prospect of a seven-year prison sentence for offenders. It delivered almost immediate results. Prohibited from selling spice, their main earner, many of the headshops — the retailers that sell drug paraphernalia — called it a day. This time last year, three months after the ban was introduced, government figures confirmed that retailers had stopped selling psychoactive substances.
Surveys suggest that usage of the drug has declined correspondingly — the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that the use of new psychoactive substances has fallen from 0. Now with support from Arch, which helps former addicts recover their sense of self worth through volunteering and team-building exercises, he is rebuilding his life. Taking a break from a team litter-picking exercise, he shook his head at the memory of what spice had done to fellow inmates.
Four people on my wing died from it. Especially now. Since the ban, prices have gone up, doubling or quadrupling in some areas. But the inflation is tolerated. Spice still delivers a big bang for your buck. Whereas a gram of cannabis will make around four joints, a gram of spice can make triple this. The price hike reflects the role that street dealers are now playing in the illicit spice market.
Professor David Nutt, the former chair of the ACMD, who was forced out of the post after repeatedly clashing with ministers over drugs policy, believes the ban has simply driven the spice market underground. For dealers, prohibition meant another new drug for them to push.
Some of the chemicals will be impounded in transit. Withdrawal effects People who use synthetic cannabinoids regularly over a long time commonly have withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms reported include: headaches anxiety low mood difficulty concentrating irritability restlessness cravings Inhaling any substance into your lungs is going to cause some level of irritation to the delicate tissue.
Reducing the risks Reducing the risk from synthetic cannabinoids begins with basic hygiene and cleanliness. If you decide to use synthetic cannabinoids Start low and go slow. Avoid mixing with alcohol and other drugs including prescribed medication as this may increase the risk of heart problems Mental wellbeing As synthetic cannabinoids may exacerbate anxiety and paranoia, only use in an environment in which you feel safe and with people you trust.
Avoid using if prone to anxiety or have existing mental health problems. Smoking synthetic cannabinoids If smoking synthetic cannabinoids avoid smoking neat. Source: Public Health Scotland - Opens in new browser window.
Last updated:. How can we improve this page? Email Address e. Message Maximum of characters. Send feedback. The Optimist. ES Best. ES Mag. Follow us:. Password Please enter a valid password. Submit Submit. By Georgia Chambers. F resh calls have been made for the synthetic drug Spice to made a Class A drug. Mr Jones has recounted his harrowing experiences of witnessing intoxicated users. Cases have also been reported of kidney damage, liver damage and psychosis.
Although Spice is meant to mimic the psychoactive effects of cannabis, it is not the same thing. Cannabis is also sold in buds whereas Spice is a mixture of herbs.
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