Plant food being sold as drugs

POLICE in Coleraine yesterday issued an urgent health warning about a new recreational drug made from plant food.

The PSNI said it is worried about illegal drugs circulating in the borough particularly dangerous substances such as plant food being sold along with or substituted for class 'A' drugs.

The warning comes after five young people in Dundee overdosed on the drug, known as "Bubbles" before Christmas. The drug has become as popular as Ecstasy in some clubs and pubs in Scotland.

The drug's main ingredient is mephedrone - which is not a controlled substance - a white powder which is sold legally as a plant fertiliser.

Regular use can result in severe nose bleeds, nose burns, hallucinations, blood circulation problems, rashes, vomiting, anxiety and paranoia, fits and delusions.

A PSNI statement said: "All illegal drugs are inherently dangerous, and are produced with little or no quality control or any regard for public health and safety.

"Those who use illegal drugs need to think seriously about what they are doing and whether the risks of achieving a particular 'high' are worth the risk of losing their life.

"Taking, possessing or supplying any kind of illegal drug is a criminal offence and can result in a criminal conviction and even a jail sentence.

"Taking any type of illegal drugs, or prescription drugs without proper medical advice can pose a serious risk to your health.

"Police advice is that no one should ever take any kind of illegal drug or take prescription drugs without proper medical supervision."

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Anyone contemplating buying illegal drugs in the North Coast area or anywhere else should 'run a mile' from the idea because there is a high risk they will die, according to East Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat.

He said: "The consequences of using illegal drugs circulating in or about night clubs could be fatal and anyone who is using these products is risking their lives. They are, in effect staring death in the eye.

"Cocaine-based drugs available for sale by dealers and pushers are being 'bulked' to maximise profits and the bulking agents could be methadone, plant food or any other material which is white and looks like the original material.

"It is my understanding that the PSNI have seized a quantity of these materials and an analysis shows that potential users are dicing with death if they use them."

Anyone who has any information regarding the sale, supply or misuse of illegal drugs is asked to contact their local police. The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000.