23/05/2007 01:00:00
UK: 'GRIT WEED' WARNING TO HEALTH WORKERS
---
Cannabis laced with glass particles has been seized throughout the UK,
prompting Scotland's top pharmacist to warn health workers.
Chief pharmaceutical officer Bill Scott sent out a memo to all public
health and medical directors, pharmaceutical public health specialists
and helpline NHS 24, with Department of Health guidance.
The Westminster department had previously sent an alert on January 16
"regarding potential health harms associated with the use of cannabis
that had been contaminated with glass particles".
While there is some evidence of a fall in contamination, "there is also
a possibility that it has become less easy for users to detect it".
The Forensic Science Service found infected cannabis had been in
circulation since July 2006 and in "significant numbers" since November
2006.
The Department of Health said 5% to 10% of cannabis seizures included
glass and the contaminated drug had been found in most parts of the UK,
except Wales, and there have been no recent seizures in Northern Ireland.
The suspect drug is being imported, probably from Holland. It is unclear
why the glass is being added, but it is likely to be to add weight, so
dealers can sell it for more.
Internet cannabis forums are now reporting the appearance of cannabis
contaminated with much finer particles that are not easily detected.
An NHS Grampian spokes-woman said the board was aware of it but had not
experienced any problems. She said public health chiefs were monitoring
the situation.
Grampian Police said officers were aware the Scottish Executive had put
out a warning of the so-called "grit weed" but there had been no
specific cases in the force area.
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12570
Author:
The Press & Journal via UKCIA
|