Children of 13 are using Spice, says drug expert

CHILDREN as young as 13 have been taking synthetic cannabis drugs known as “Spice” in Merthyr Tydfil, councillors have been told.

At a meeting of the council’s social services scrutiny committee on Tuesday, Councillor Declan Sammon, Independent, quizzed Rob Baker, services manager at Barod (formerly DrugAid).

Mr Baker was giving a presentation about the services they provide to people with alcohol and drug misuse issues.

Mr Baker said children as young as 13 and 14 had been smoking Spice and they had seen an increase across the board in usage of Spice, but not just in young people and that it was not particularly an issue of homelessness.

Councillor Bill Smith, Labour, said: “We have lost the plot. Too many people are using it. “It is getting worse.” He said it is “frightening” what is happening in Merthyr Tydfil.

Mr Baker said drug trends tend to fluctuate and that Barod is trying to be proactive in tackling the issue but that it also has to be reactive at times.

Cllr Sammon then asked for the approximate numbers of people using the drug in Merthyr Tydfil.

Mr Baker said it was difficult to say, but added: “I don’t see Merthyr being any worse than other areas.

“It is a UK phenomenon and not unique to Merthyr Tydfil or South Wales.

“A number of these people taking it are not engaged in services.”

Cllr Smith then asked how they can stop needles being spread all over the place, adding that it is a “big issue”.

Cllr Sammon said there have recently been reports of children coming home with needles they have found.

Mr Baker said they get back around 60% of needles as part of their needle exchange programme, but this does not mean 40% are discarded as some may be dropped off at other centres.

He said around 60%-70% of needles are used for steroids in Merthyr Tydfil, which is lower than the UK average.

Mr Baker says Barod also goes into schools to talk to pupils about drug issues.

Cllr Smith thanked Mr Baker for his presentation, saying: “It gives us a view of what is really happening.”

Councillor Tony Rogers, Independent, said: “I would like to see outreach workers trying to stop the problem at source.”

He said they must look at youth services and that often drug taking is handed down through generations.

Councillor Sherelle Jago, Independent, agreed, saying that work needs to start earlier.

Between April 2017 and April 2018, Barod had 251 referrals in Merthyr Tydfil and almost all cases saw treatment start within 20 days, and only 13% did not attend, with 83% having completed treatment.

Alcohol accounted for 39% of referrals, with cocaine accounting for 13%, cannabis for 12% and heroin for 5%.