Four critically ill in Staffordshire after taking 'black mamba' legal high

A man aged 19 was rushed to hospital after paramedics were called to Burnthill Lane, Rugeley, after reportedly taking the drug.

He was said to be in a stable condition today.

Earlier this month, three men were taken to hospital after collapsing in Stafford town centre after taking the drug.

Black mamba is a legal high created to mimick the effects of cannabis.

It is made of synthetic cannabinoids - chemicals that act like THC, the active part of cannabis.

It is usually taken in a similar fashion to marijuana - smoked in a spliff on its own, or mixed with tobacco.

As with all drugs, the exact contents of black mamba vary and may actually contain no synthetic cannabinoids.

The effects are also like those of marijuana, both good and bad.

Some users will feel happy and relaxed, get the munchies and become very chatty. Others may become drowsy, or paranoid and unwell.

Black mamba is one of many names for synthetic cannabinoids. Others include spice and blue cheese.

A PCSO was hailed with saving the men after carrying out first aid and called paramedics for the men, who have since recovered.

Paramedics today said legal highs were an 'increasing issue' for them.

Ch Insp Jane Hewett, from Staffordshire Police, said: "Despite what people think some of these drugs are actually illegal and certainly dangerous.

"I urge people using these substances to think again, get help and please don't risk your life.

"In these two incidents the men who have taken such substances have been extremely lucky, despite their initial critical conditions."

The men in Stafford town centre collapsed on October 15, while the incident in Rugeley happened on Monday.

Both incidents were made public today.

Steve Wheaton, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer at West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Legal highs are proving to be an increasing challenge for our staff.

"As the chemicals are untested, unregulated and are often mixed with alcohol, the effect on the patient can vary considerably which presents very real difficulties for our staff. Those who take the drugs are often not forthcoming with details of what it is that they have taken which makes treatment problematic.

"Very often the effect can lead to the patient suffering extreme highs and lows which can result in patients appearing to be suffering mental health issues at one end of the scale to violence at the other which can lead to the criminal justice system becoming involved.

"Unfortunately, this is an increasing issue for us."