County police and health chiefs are warning that legal highs can kill and it’s only a matter of time before a young life is lost in Lincolnshire.
Four people, including a child of 14, have been taken ill in the last two weeks after using over the counter substances which are sold under names like Annihilation, Evolution and White mm.
Lincolnshire’s assistant director of public health Tony McGinty said: “Every individual who uses these substances, regardless of the effects they may have witnessed on others, is playing Russian roulette – especially if they are mixing them with alcohol and other drugs.
“The chemical constitution of these products is often small variations on previously banned substances and their effect, as with all drugs, varies significantly from person to person.”
Police received a “spike” in reports of youngsters suffering palpitations, racing hearts, breathing problems, panic and paranoia during New Year’s Eve celebrations in 2011.
Det Insp Simon Lovett said: “We cannot underestimate the seriousness of this issue.
“This is poison being mixed by people who have no idea what’s in it or what it will do to the young people who ingest it.”
Det Insp Lovett said it is vital parents educate their children on the dangers.