NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership have issued updated advice to drug services and to people who use drugs following a number of local incidents in which people have become severely unwell after taking drugs sold to them as crack cocaine.
Many of those involved have experienced rapid loss of consciousness, impaired breathing and collapse, and other features such as vomiting and seizures have also been reported. Sadly, a number of recent suspected drug deaths may also be connected with this situation.
Recent evidence has emerged that at least some of these cases are linked to contamination of the crack cocaine supply with a synthetic form of cannabis, commonly referred to as ‘Spice’. However other contaminants could also be involved.
A multi-agency Incident Management Team is in place to coordinate the ongoing health investigation and response.
Dr Daniel Carter, NHSGGC Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said “We would like to extend our condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one to drug use. We encourage anyone who uses drugs including crack cocaine to access drug services and follow harm reduction advice to help keep themselves safe.”
Key information for people who use drugs in Greater Glasgow and Clyde
There have been a number of recent reports from Glasgow City of people becoming severely unwell after taking drugs they believed to be crack cocaine. Reports describe vomiting, seizures, sudden loss of consciousness and collapse, and a number of recent suspected drug deaths may also be connected with this situation.
There is evidence that at least some of these cases have been caused by contamination of the crack cocaine supply with synthetic cannabinoids (‘Spice’), although other contaminants may also be involved.
Synthetic cannabinoids are very unpredictable and difficult to dose accurately. Even the smallest quantities can lead to severe harms such as seizures, loss of consciousness and death.
The drug supply is volatile and unpredictable, and contents and strength can change rapidly from place to place and from one day to the next.
Urgent advice
- Avoid using drugs sold as crack cocaine at this time. Recent harms have been directly linked to these products, and the risk of severe harm is high.
- If people do continue to use:
- Avoid unfamiliar supplies of drugs, and start with a small amount.
- Do not use when you are alone. Always make sure you are with someone who can help if you become unwell.
- Avoid combining or mixing drugs, since that greatly increases the risk of overdose. When taking drugs, be especially careful if you already have drugs on board.
- Keep naloxone nearby, and use it. While it does not reverse the effects of crack cocaine or synthetic cannabinoids, it should still always be given if someone is unresponsive as other drugs may also have been taken, either intentionally or without them knowing. Naloxone is available from Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services, injecting equipment outlets and participating community pharmacies.
- If someone becomes unconscious, has a seizure, or experiences difficulty breathing, dial 999 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, place the person in the recovery position (on their side) to reduce the risk of choking.