‘Legal High’ deaths rise by 580%
In just three years the number of UK deaths linked to so-called ‘Legal Highs’ has risen by 580%. In 2009, 10 deaths were recorded but in 2012 this number increased to 68. The death toll could be higher still though as reporting is voluntary, and while most coroner regions provide data, not all do.
‘Legal Highs’ are designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs; they have a different chemical set-up though, which means that the Misuse of Drugs Act does not cover them. Many are openly for sale on the high street and particularly on the internet, giving youngsters easy access. Labelling them ‘not for human consumption’ makes them legal to sell and they are often marketed as bath salts or plant food.
Mephedrone (M-CAT or Meow Meow) was a legal high that came to light recently and was quickly categorised as a Class-B drug; it is now illegal to possess it, and although the UK Government is leading the way with banning such substances it is hard to keep up with the new supplies. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction identified 73 new substances that became available in 2012 alone. Norman Baker, the UK’s Drug Minister, admitted: “The reality is we are chasing the chemists,” he has ordered a review into current laws, which is expected to be completed by the summer.
In the news recently, 26-year-old Richard Phillips was left severely brain damaged after he took a copycat drug ‘N-Bomb’ – this mimics the effects of LSD and has already been banned. It is believed that Richard obtained the substance from a friend who bought it off the internet. A cocktail of the drug plus alcohol brought on a series of fits that means that Richard now requires 24-hour care.
Richard’s story is unfortunately not unique, and his brother Byron Phillips is keen to warn people of the risks of these completely untested substances to save the heartache of another family loss.
Testing is one way of combating the surge of new drugs coming onto the market; forward thinking research and development have allowed drug testing companies, such as Matrix Diagnostics Ltd., to sell Point of Care tests for substances. It is also possible for drug testing in the laboratory to keep up with the changes happening on the streets.
Matrix Diagnostics Ltd. offers single cassette card tests for K2/Spice (a synthetic cannabinoids acting like cannabis/THC)
The laboratory service is able to offer a variety of confirmation testing for legal highs – please contact us for more information:
t: 01992 762 678
e: info@matrixdiagnostics.co.uk
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