Inmate’s death may be first from ‘zombie’ drug
A PRISONER in a Scottish jail has died in what is believed to be the country’s first victim of a dangerous new drug which reduces users to a “zombie” state.
The 46-year-old man, an inmate at high-security Shotts Prison, claimed he had been smoking spice, a dangerous synthetic cannabis drug, before he died last week.
The drug – which reduces users to a catatonic state – is already ravaging large parts of England, notably Manchester city centre.
A definitive cause of death will not be fully established until the results of toxicology tests on the Glasgow man, who was in prison for armed robbery, are known.
He died after falling ill in his cell at the Lanarkshire jail last Saturday.
He reportedly admitted to staff he had smoked spice, telling them it was the first time he’d ever tried it. His condition deteriorated rapidly.
Medical staff resuscitated him twice before he was taken to Wishaw General where he died on Tuesday.
A prison source said “increasing numbers of prisoners are being taken to hospital because of spice and other so-called legal highs”.
“It’s a worry for staff as it turns users into unhinged zombies who are impossible to predict,” the source said.
“It gives some prisoners unusually high levels of strength and others it can make comatose. You never know what reaction you will get.
“It’s use in Scotland is very concerning.
“I understand inmates call spice ‘bird killer’ – because it helps them serve their time in a daze.
“We’ve heard worrying reports of some prisoners taking it and being so out of it, they try to run through walls.
“Many, though, are simply reduced to a dangerous zombielike state where they’re unable to move.
“Spice has already taken hold of jails south of the border but the same problems haven’t be seen here in Scotland – yet.”
Earlier this year it was revealed a prison officer collapsed and convulsed on the floor after accidentally inhaling spice at HMP Northumberland jail in England.
Across Britain, prison chiefs are attempting to stop the drug from being smuggled in.
Phil Fairlie, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association Scotland, said officers are having to develop new ways of dealing with prisoners believed to have taken spice.
He said: “The normal methods we use to deal with prisoners on drugs don’t apply to drugs like spice.
“The drug users can be completely unaware of their own surroundings making it difficult to ensure their safety and the safety of prison officers. We’re using new ways to tackle it.”
The inmate had been sent to jail in 2014 for an armed robbery that saw him caught after he dropped paperwork with his name and address on it.
He was jailed for five-and-a-half years for assault and robbery after stealing just £51.63 from a hairdressers.
During the heist, he wore a mask and went armed with a knife demanding “everything you’ve got”.
Last night, a spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service confirmed the inmate’s death is believed to be drug-related.
He said: “Police Scotland have been advised and the matter will be reported to the procurator fiscal.
“Next of kin have been informed and a fatal accident inquiry may be held in due course.”
The prisoner’s Glasgow-based sister could not be reached for comment.
Prison authorities say the abuse of spice by prisoners is an “emerging problem”.
Prison staff at some institutions in England now have to wear gloves for fear of mistakenly ingesting it when sorting prisoners’ mail.
Outside of the prison estate, spice has taken over some inner city areas, with Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester and Wrexham in north Wales reporting serious, specific problems.
The epidemic of spice use in Manchester has meant beleaguered locals have become all too familiar with the sight of users stumbling and slumped like zombies in the streets.
Responding to incidents related to the drug have been stretching ambulance services and police to their limits.
In just one weekend last month officers were called to 60 spicerelated incidents in Manchester city centre.