Paramedics see increase in patients who have taken legal highs

Paramedics in the West Midlands say they have seen an increase in the number of call-outs to patients who have taken so-called 'legal highs'.

West Midlands Ambulance Service today released figures for 999 calls they have received across the area where the legal high 'black mamba' is mentioned. In April, they received eight black mamba calls, in May, nine, in June, 20, July, 29 and August, 39 so far.

Black Mamba, Pandora’s Box, Ivory Wave, Annihilation are so called ‘legal highs’ that mimic the effects of controlled drugs although they have had their chemical structures changed.

A West Midlands Ambulance Spokesperson said: "In the vast majority of cases the caller doesn’t mention that the patient has taken a ‘legal high’ or gives the name of the substance when they dial 999. They’ll say the patient has been having a seizure, convulsions, is unconscious or whatever and it is only once the crew arrive that they see the packet or their mates ‘fess up’.

"It’s impossible to say why that is - whether it’s because they are worried that someone will find out, aren't sure of the legality or whatever, who knows."

Paramedic, Cameron McVittie said on his twitter account: “My last job of the night initially coded as a cardiac arrest… thankfully it wasn’t! But it was another case of ‘black mamba’… what is it? It is a legal high that is ‘synthetic cannabis’. It contains chemicals which mimic the effects of their illegal counterparts meaning the risks and side effects are similar.

“In some cases, side effects are unknown due to little testing being done on them. We’re seeing lots of people who have smoked or even eaten ‘Black Mamba’. The fact that it states on packets ‘not for human consumption’ doesn’t seem to matter – better take the advice!”

Fellow paramedic, Jack Lewis, added: “We see some very poorly people who insist on taking legal highs. One of the sickest patients I’ve been to took a legal high. They may be “legal” but they are so dangerous.

“We see cases where patients have got an increased heart rate; are feeling on edge or restless; sometimes they are feeling tired or drowsy; feeling sick; having hallucinations and panic attacks as well as convulsions. There is also now evidence that their use may increase the risk of later developing psychotic illnesses including schizophrenia.”