Two arrested in connection with 'legal high' incidents

Officers are granted powers to seize and destroy psychoactive substances Credit: Robert Townsend

Two men aged 34 and 61 have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs in connection to incidents that took place on Friday 20 May.

They remain in police custody for questioning.

Police in Rochdale are issuing renewed warnings around the dangers of using ‘legal highs’, after nine people have fallen ill after taking different substances in the past few days.In the most serious incident, at around 3.45pm on 24 May 2016, a 24-year-old man was found collapsed in Milnrow Road. He had taken a number of substances including a legal high called ‘Clockwork Orange’. He is in intensive care having been revived from cardiac arrest and is on a ventilator.

Superintendent Alistair Mallen of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: “There has been an alarming rise in the number of people who are risking their lives by taking these potentially lethal substances.

“In Rochdale alone there have been nine incidents over four days where people have fallen ill, with one man remaining in a critical condition in hospital, after taking what are believed to have been legal highs.

“This worrying trend is becoming more and more common and we need to educate people about the dangers of these substances and stop this escalating further.

“New legislation that comes into force tomorrow making the sale of New Psychoactive Substances illegal sends a strong, clear message to people that by taking these substances you could be putting your life in danger and there will be consequences to those who supply them.”

Under new legislation, the ban prohibits the production, supply and importation of the synthetic substances that have the same or similar effects to some class A drugs.

Officers are granted powers to seize and destroy psychoactive substances and Greater Manchester Police are working with partner agencies to educate shop owners and those who use legal highs about the new legislation and how it will affect them.

A list of legal high-related incidents are:

  • 20/05/16 11:06am - 33-year-old man collapsed in Drake Street, Rochdale. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and was put into an induced coma and put on a ventilator. In his pocket is a packet of unopened Annihilation. The following day he was released from hospital.

  • 20/05/16 2.17pm - 39-year-old man collapsed in Drake Street, Rochdale. He was taken to a local drug and alcohol unit. The ambulance attended but he refused treatment.

  • Another 39-year-old man collapsed in Drake Street, Rochdale. He is treated at the scene for 45 minutes but refuses to go to hospital. He claimed that he had taken a legal high called Cherry Bomb took a couple of drags and collapsed.

  • 21/05/16 9.34am - 34-year-old man collapsed in Yorkshire Street. He was treated by ambulance staff and taken to hospital.

  • 9.50am 17-year-old man collapsed on Yorkshire Street. He was treated by ambulance staff at the scene but refused to go to hospital. He claimed to have taken legal high.

  • 24/05/16 3.47pm 24-year-old man collapsed in Milnrow Road. He had taken a number of substances including a legal high called ‘Clockwork Orange’. He is in intensive care having been revived from cardiac arrest. He is still in hospital, medically stable, on a ventilator.

  • 24/05/16 4.18pm 44-year-old man overdosed in Oldham Road. Had taken legal high known as ‘Pandora’s Box Unleashed’ with alcohol and taken to hospital. He was seen then discharged.

  • 24/05/16 5.44pm 38-year-old man collapsed on The Butts. Believed to have taken ‘Kronic Black Label’. Ambulance attended and he was partly treated before he left.

  • 24/05/16 5.47pm 46-year-old man collapsed at the junction of Oldham Road and Drake Street. Believed to have taken ‘Kronic Black label’. Ambulance were called and he was taken to hospital.

People who take so called ‘legal highs’ may experience a number of side effects including profuse sweating, heart palpitations, psychosis and seizures.

If any person is believed to have taken a ‘legal high’ call 999 immediately, put the individual in the recovery position and ask for immediate medical assistance.

For help or advice on all drugs including ‘legal highs’ Talk to Frank 0800 777 6600 www.talktofrank.com

You can also join in the discussion on legal highs by using #legalhighs

If you believe a shop or business is continuing to supply psychoactive substances once the legislation is in force, please contact 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111