| The alert over NRG-1 came as health bosses in Dundee said several people had fallen ill after taking the “party drug” which can be bought for as little as 25p a hit.
Users are said to suffer terrifying side-effects, such as acute paranoia and agitation, after taking the substance, with some victims describing the symptoms as like “flying to heaven and waking up in hell”.
Today the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency expressed its concern over the drug, which is being marketed as a legal substance through UK Internet sites.
Det Supt Willie MacColl, national drugs coordinator with the SCDEA, said, “We’re aware of the emergence of NRG-1 — another so-called legal high.
“It’s important people understand the risks associated with such substances which are prepared and packaged in an unregulated manner. What the label says does not always reflect what is in the contents. Users can never be sure what they are taking and this could lead to severe consequences.”
NRG-1 is one of 24 new psychoactive substances that authorities have learned about in recent months.
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside confirmed that A&E departments in the region had seen a small number of cases involving NRG-1 in recent weeks.
Tayside Police drugs co-ordinator Inspector Wendy Symington said those buying legal highs had no idea what they were purchasing. She said, “There are always people looking for new substances to take over from the likes of mephedrone, which has been classified as Class B. There is always a danger that a substance will come into the area and become a new bubbles (mephedrone’s nickname).
“With all legal highs there is no research as to the short- and long-term health effects. People have no idea what’s in it or how it will affect them.”
Dr Roland Armes, consultant in emergency medicine, stated that, over the last month, he and his colleagues in the Emergency Department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary have treated an increasing number of patients who have taken a substance labelled NRG-1.
Common symptoms at presentation have included increased blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, abnormal and uncontrollable muscle movements, sweating, agitation, anxiety and paranoia.
These symptoms appear to persist for a prolonged period — in some cases several days. Use of this substance has resulted in a number of patients being admitted to hospital.
Dr Armes said that there appear to be serious and unpredictable health risks associated with the use of even small quantities of NRG-1 and he fears that, sooner or later, a user will suffer significant complications as a result.
He said any actions taken to restrict supply and use of this substance are welcomed. The authorities are also warning users against mixing the substance with another drug or alcohol, as the consequences could be even more severe. |
