Festival revellers warned about dodgy LSD ahead of TRNSMT
FESTIVAL revellers have been warned about dodgy LSD which has hospitalised people who have taken it ahead of TRNSMT this weekend.
The dangerous paper stamp-sized hallucinogenic drug was recently seized in Paisley prompting fears that they are being sold i n Glasgow.
The Hallucinogenic drug, sometimes called blotter art, causes serious medical issues and a similar drug elsewhere in the UK resulted in people requiring hospital treatment.
The paper squares contain the drug 25i NBOH and are usually sold as acid or LSD.
But the effects can be “strong, unpredictable and overwhelming”.
Ch ief Superintendent John McKenzie, of Safer Communities at Police Scotland, said: “As people will be aware, officers in Paisley recently recovered a Class A drug that’s previously been seen in England, which looks like a paper stamp but is impregnated with an extremely harmful drug. “There are often different substances being sold in a similar fashion which make it impossible to visually identify what drug or strength of drug is being sold. “People have been hospitalised after taking it, so our advice is if you’re offered this, or any other illegal drugs, don’t take the risk. And if you are found in possession of illegal drugs, you will be arrested. “Our officers will be on the on the ground and I’d encourage people to chat to them and raise any concerns they may have – we’re here to help.” The Scottish Drugs Forum also warn that the drug is inherently dangerous particularly when taken with other substances including alcohol. The Scottish Drugs Forum said: “25iNBOH is a relatively rare substance in Scotland and has some similar effects to related substances NBOMe compounds, which have been implicated in deaths in UK and Europe and can cause extreme adverse effects including extreme agitation and paranoia.
“Blotters containing this substance are best avoided completely as they are likely to cause unpleasant side effects and will be a different experience to LSD.
“Less common psychedelic drugs such as this have stimulant effects in addition to hallucinogenic effects which can be a very unpleasant combination for many people.
“Even when using other blotters believed to be LSD, it is important to know there is no visual way to tell the contents and strength of blotters. Drugs can contain other substances than what they claim to, and strength can vary dramatically batch to batch even with blotters or tabs that look the same;
People have been hospitalised after taking it, so our advice is if you’re offered this, or any other illegal drugs, don’t take the risk
therefore, people should treat all drugs as unknown.”
TRNSMT will kick off festival season in the city with other events taking place, including Fiesta X Fold in the West End.
Chief Superintendent McKenzie said: “Hundreds of events will be taking place across Scotland this summer, from large scale music festivals to community based events, and these are all about bringing people together to have a good time.
“We want to help create a safe and friendly atmosphere. So as well as people taking these simple steps to stay safe, they will see an increased security presence at festivals, starting with TRNSMT in Glasgow on Friday.
“It is important to stress there is no specific intelligence to suggest any threat to this festival, but given the current threat level of “severe” our officers will be on site throughout the weekend.
“Our advice remains the same – be alert but not alarmed and enjoy the festivals.”
People attending TRNSMT may be searched as a condition of entry and certain items will not be permitted.
Information and advice for festival-goers will also be posted on Police Scotland’s Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the summer.