UK - ILLEGAL drugs hidden inside nearly half of ‘legal highs

[CLICKHEREx]

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-trading-standards-investigation-illegal-7283535

Jun 18, 2014 07:00
By Anuji Varma

A top medic says Class B and prescription-only drugs like Viagra are regularly added to the potentially toxic substances

Around 40 per cent of “legal highs” obtained from Birmingham shops contained ILLEGAL drugs, researchers have revealed.

A top medic says Class B and prescription-only drugs like Viagra are regularly added to the potentially toxic substances.

Samples were taken from retailers by Birmingham Trading Standards before being handed to City Hospital for testing by pathology director Dr Jonathan Berg.

He said: “People taking legal highs are the guinea pigs. Results from tests showed that around 40 per cent contain classified drugs or prescription-only medication.”

See inside the lab

City Hospital saw four cases of patients who had taken party drugs which are readily available in shops across the city.

And a baby recently born at the hospital tested positive for the legal high AKB-48 after the mother, who also tested positive, had given birth.

Dr Berg said: “Sometimes people who have taken them are not forthcoming with what substances they have ingested.

“If we can show the patient has taken a legal high the potential saving is considerable and it will help efficient healthcare.

“Legal highs come in various forms, such as powders, pills, plant materials – which mimic marijuana – and even vapour refills for e-cigarettes. They are always sold for ‘research purposes’ and never for human consumption.

“But the majority of people buying them do ingest the drugs which can have deadly consequences. They are nasty chemicals and kill people.

“A number of people have collapsed in Birmingham as a result, but the retailers are still selling these drugs.”

The warning comes days after we told how a Birmingham accountant died after taking a legal high at a wake to mourn the death of her friend – who had been killed by the same party drug.

Carl Fearon, 24, was found dead on a sofa after taking GBL – sold as an alloy wheel cleaner.

Hours later Lynette Nock, 28, staged a “impromptu wake” at her home, but lost consciousness after taking the same drug.

Now a video has been put together warning people of the dangers of party drugs. It features Dr Berg, as well as Birmingham’s senior coroner Louise Hunt.

“It’s a one minute 40 second video that warns of the grave dangers of legal highs. We need to create awareness of what these substances can do,” Dr Berg added.

For more information, visit www.legalhighsgameover.com

Edited June 22, 2014 by CLICKHEREx