Police have warned a new crystallised and potentially lethal version of the drug spice is being mistaken for MDMA after 10 people were taken to hospital in Manchester.
Four of those admitted to hospital last weekend spent time in intensive care. Police initially thought the substance was a particularly potent form of MDMA known locally as “pink champagne” or “magic”.
Ch Supt Neil Evans from the Greater Manchester force’s Oldham and Rochdale boroughs said it was the first time police had seen spice in the crystallised, much more potent and unrefined, form and that it was being mistaken for MDMA.
“This is extremely worrying,” he said. “Anyone thinking of taking MDMA must seriously consider what they are doing. You may feel that you know and accept the risks of taking MDMA, but you never know what you are actually taking and the reaction your body could have to it.
“Last weekend a number of people suffered life-threatening side effects after they took what they believed was MDMA. This weekend, before you think about taking MDMA or spice, think, is your life really worth it?”
Authorities in Manchester have reported a surge in the use of the synthetic cannabinoid, which is now illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The drug was previously legally available to buy in shops and online.
When the drug first appeared in the UK it was often described as having effects similar to those of cannabis, but experts have described such a comparison as dangerous as the effects of spice are much more extreme and unpredictable.
Last weekend DS John Coleman of GMP’s Oldham borough said police were actively seeking to find the person responsible for the drug’s distribution “before they supply anyone else with what is a potentially lethal substance”.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and bailed on suspicion of supplying a class A drug, but has since been released under investigation.
All those who were taken to hospital after taking the drug are now in a stable condition. The death of a 26-year-old from Rochdale on Monday is no longer being linked to the substance, police said.
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