Police issue warning after emergency services struggle to deal with rise in legal highs abuse cases

Staffordshire Police have issued a health warning after an increase in reports of people falling ill after taking so-called ‘legal highs.’

Emergency services have been called out to deal with an unusually high number of medical emergencies involving the synthetic drug ‘Black Mamba.’

A 19-year old man from Rugeley was rushed to hospital when he collapsed after reportedly taking the drug. He is said to be a stable condition.

Two weeks ago, three men were rushed to hospital after falling ill in Stafford town centre after consuming the same drug.

The police say they must continue to battle against perceptions that legal highs aren’t harmful.