Drug Alerts
Glimepiride (Amaryl)
23/01/2012
An individual was admitted to Darlington Memorial Hospital after taking a yellow tablet called Glimepiride.
Glimepiride is a drug used in the treatment of diabetes and works to lower the blood sugar level. It is available on prescription only.
Side effects of the drug can be low blood sugar leading to hunger, nausea, tiredness, headache, heart palpitations, numbness around the mouth, tingling in the fingers, tremors, muscle weakness, blurred vision, cold temperature, excessive yawning, irritability, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
It is NOT safe to take a drug that has not been prescribed to you. It is dangerous and may be illegal
Jolly Green Granules / Death Balls / Death
21/06/2011
We have received a number of user reports about a drug called Jolly Green Granules; or sometimes known as Death Balls or Death. These are green or white granules which are snorted or swallowed. Users report bad side effects from these drugs including a very low mood on comedown, thoughts of suicide and abdominal pain.
Remember that you can never be sure that the drug you are taking is what you think it is. Tests have shown that Jolly Green Granules can include illegal substances like mephedrone.
It is NOT safe to take a drug when you do not know what is in it. It is dangerous as it is not sold for human consumption and may be illegal to possess
Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL)
21/06/2011
Three people were found unconscious in Teesside and admitted to hospital after drinking from a litre bottle marked BASF - 99.99% Gamma Butyrolactone manufactured in Germany. The company do not decant into bottles of their size and so it is thought to be an imitation, it is not certain whether the bottle actually contains GBL.
There may be more of this substance in circulation. GBL is related to GHB and is a dangerous drug with sedative and anaesthetic effects. Taking either can lead to unconsciousness, coma and death. They are particularly dangerous when taken with alcohol or other drugs.
Eric 3 and Diablo
02/06/2011
News reports have indicated that several teenagers became ill and were taken to hospital after using legal highs known as Eric 3 or Diablo.
There is little reliable information about either Eric 3 or Diablo, as is true of many legal highs. Most of what is known is from anecdotal reports of people who have used the drugs, with some indicating that they might act as stimulants, similar to speed (amphetamine).
Stimulants can make you feel alert, euphoric and chatty but can also cause anxiety, agitation, paranoia and psychotic states. Other risks include over stimulating the heart and circulation; overheating the body; and over stimulating the nervous system, possibly causing fits. There have also been some recent reports of severe sickness and vomiting occurring in users of Diablo.
It is impossible to be certain what any sample of Diablo or Eric 3 contains, or whether it really is legal to possess.
As the drugs look similar to illegal drugs, police are entitled to confiscate them for testing, detain you for questioning and even arrest you. If the substance contains elements that are illegal to possess or supply, you would be at risk of a criminal conviction.
Legal Highs
02/06/2011
Legal highs are often designed to mimic class A drugs, but the chemical structures are different so they avoid being classified as illegal substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Mephedrone, for example, was created to copy the effects of cocaine or ecstasy, but the chemical structure was different so it did not fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act. However, the Government passed legislation making Mephedrone a controlled substance so it’s now illegal to possess, give away or sell.
Often there is little or no research into the effects of legal highs. Being legal to possess doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s safe. Legal highs can have similar health risks to other drugs such reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, coma, seizures, and even death. Risks are increased if used with alcohol or other drugs.
Drugs sold as a legal high may actually contain substances that are illegal to posses.
Under current guidance teachers can confiscate and dispose of any legal highs found on school property. School staff can search any students suspected of carrying banned drugs.
As many legal highs look similar to illegal drugs such as cocaine and speed, police can confiscate them for testing, detain you for questioning, or even arrest you.
The Government announced that they will introduce a system of one year temporary bans on new legal highs while health issues are considered by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). This is likely to be introduced in autumn 2011.