Don’t sleepwalk into ‘Zombie’ drug craze

Police and drug agencies are bracing themselves for the arrival of a so-called zombie drug on the streets of Tayside and Fife. Synthetic cannabinoid product Spice has proved a scourge of inner-cities in England, especially Manchester, and the authorities know it is only a matter of time before the worrying – and baffling – craze for ingesting it spreads north.

The laboratory-produced drug can leave people effectively paralysed and can cause hallucinations, psychosis and paranoia.

So grim are the scenes in Manchester, a central city MP has called for home secretary Amber Rudd to personally intervene. High ranking police officers and health managers are equally worried about the strain the habit is putting on public services.

While the warnings on Tayside and Fife may be seen as premature – some will even write them off as scaremongering – the authorities cannot afford to let this problem get out of hand.

Ironically, it can be argued the recent crackdown on “legal highs” has contributed, driving the illicit trade underground where previously it operated through High Street head shops , easily monitored by police.

While it is concerning more criminal drug-peddlers could soon be casting their gaze towards this area, it is re-assuring that the authorities are ready for them.