Concern youngsters are using 'zombie drug'

Councillor Peter Lee told this week’s full council he had grave concerns about “shocking” problems of substance abuse, which he said were “absolutely rife” across Dudley.

He said he was keen that more be done to raise awareness of the dangers and the fact that youngsters were vulnerable to being “targeted” by peddlers.

He made particular reference to Black Mamba – a type of synthetic cannabis which can cause vomiting and hallucinations and leave users in a stupor.

Responding Councillor Patrick Harley, the leader of the council, said he shared the “outrage and disgust” about the issue.

“It’s a sad indictment of the society we live in now, with the problems with drugs and it’s not getting better it’s getting worse.

“And we’re seeing evidence now every single day whereas years ago it would have been rare to see this type of activity.”

He said that his Conservative-run administration could write to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson to highlight concerns.

“I believe there has been a failure over the past four or five years of a Labour PCC that has spent more on refurbishing offices at Lloyd House than they have actually dealing with this scourge, this modern scourge of drugs.

“And it’s a scourge that we have to tackle and we have to win.”

Responding after the meeting, deputy PCC Waheed Saleem said the police and crime commissioner was working on “new, fresh ideas” to tackle the problem.

“Drugs are costing the West Midlands £1.4 billion each year, despite the good work being done by many, our collective approach to drugs has been failing for decades.

“Cuts to public health budgets from local authorities has impacted hugely on addiction and drug crime over the past 10 years.

“If we are to cut crime, reduce harm and save the taxpayer money on this huge cost of drugs in our region, we need new ideas.”

On the refurbishment of the force’s Birmingham base, he said this had in fact been praised by a Tory Policing Minister and was “something that will save money and provide a better working environment.”

Raising the drugs issue during councillors’ question time, Councillor Lee had said: “It’s a particular worry to me because we foster children and our children are very vulnerable.

“And I’m just wondering if it would be possible for the council administration to send letters to all of our schools?”

On the particular risks of Black Mamba, which was formerly classed among so-called “legal highs” before changes in the law, he said: “I believe it’s widely used in the prisons.

“Young children are taking this drug Mr Mayor – it’s absolutely shocking the effect. And it’s very, very addictive very quickly. Within weeks you can be addicted.”

The substance and others, such as Spice, were banned in 2016 as part of a crackdown on psychoactive substances.

The chemicals were designed to replicate the effects of traditional drugs such as cannabis and cocaine but loopholes in previous laws had failed to prohibit their production, distribution, sale and supply.