40 new ’stronger, deadlier drugs’ hit UK markets
By ANIMonday, January 17, 2011
LONDON - Experts have warned that many lives are at risk in the UK after a new wave of 40 deadly legal highs hit the market.
According to experts party drugs like Ivory Wave and A3A are stronger and deadlier than ever before.
The substances, easily available online or bought over the counter in drug paraphernalia shops, claimed more than 50 British lives in 2010.
Moreover, doctors believe the tally for 2011 could be even higher.
“The problem is that the drugs are not tested. Some of them are very powerful, some don’t work at all and some are horribly dangerous,” the Daily Star quoted Paul Skett, a forensic pharmacologist at the University of Glasgow, as saying.
“If a drug is banned, then they just mix it in with something else and sell it on, making it even worse,” he added.
Ivory Wave has already been blamed for one death this year and A3A has been singled out for causing temporary pychosis attacks which can last for days.
John Ramsey, a toxicologist at St George’s University of London Hospital, said he has no clue how harmful the drugs could be.
He warned, “There is no question they can cause deaths. But there could also be some long-term health effects including kidney problems or birth defects.” (ANI)
