Friday, 13 September 2013

The ultimate lego collection for the Recreational Drugs generation? A Meths Lab..seriously and it sells out

What will people think of next.  A toy company has caused outrage (well according to the Daily Mail) by selling a limited edition Lego Toy set of a Crystal Meth Lab.  Creative? Definitely. Educational? Perhaps. Collectable? Absolutely as it sold out in no time.  What will they think of next? Lego smack den?  Cannabis Factory?  Mexican drug gang massacre? Not one for the kids under this year Christmas Tree.


If you need some Lego action stick to watching this Lego Rave on You Tube. Legendary.


Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Deaths from Legal Highs rise to a high according to the ONS

Popular festival/recreational legal highs are causing more deaths than ever before according to statistics by the Office National Statics.  News report below.  The numbers are still relatively low considering the number of users, but the government continues to push people into taking untried and untested products and it can only be a matter of time before one new products proves to be more lethal to a larger number of people..... we only can pray not

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said deaths linked with the psychoactive substances jumped from 29 in 2011 to 52 last year, an 80 per cent rise.
Even as recently as 2007 the annual number of deaths from the new synthetic drugs was in single figures.
The ONS drug poisoning data also showed deaths from the painkiller tramadol have more than doubled since 2008 to 175 in last year.
Many of the so-called legal highs - which give the user euphoric sensations similar to the drug ecstasy - have been made illegal by the Home Office butthe law struggles to keep pace with a proliferation of different types.
Synthetic drugs sold under the names Black Mamba and Mexxy were made Class B drugs last year and Theresa May, the Home Secretary, authorised temporary bans on two other groups - Benzofury and NBOMe - in June.
Mephedrone, or miaow miaow, was made illegal in 2010.
The ONS figures covering England and Wales also showed a significant rise in the number of people killed after inhaling helium.
There were 58 deaths involving the gas last year, up from 12 in 2008, and many were linked with suicides, according to the ONS report.
In all, 891 women died from drug poisoning - including legal and illegal drugs - which was a rise of 880 the previous year.
In the same period the number of male deaths fell 4 per cent to 1,706.
The number of deaths involving heroin or morphine fell slightly in 2012 to 579 deaths, but these remained the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, the ONS said.
The 30 to 39 age group saw the most deaths from drug misuse, and the North West had highest mortality rate by area.

Full stats and the reports are on the link below

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health3/deaths-related-to-drug-poisoning/2012/index.html
Read more info about Recreational drugs...

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

New research says LSD & Magic Mushrooms do not cause mental heath problems

Newspaper reports today state that researchers have stats that prove that LSD and Magic Mushrooms do not cause mental health and great fear of many recreational drugs users since the 60's.   You can read the full story below or see the Fantazia drugs section for more information on various recreational drugs http://www.fantazia.org.uk/drugs/drugs.htm

Psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms do not cause mental health problems in users, a new study has claimed.
Researchers in Norway have said they in fact found 'significant associations' between the drugs and fewer psychological problems.
The team, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) Department of Neuroscience, studied more than 130,000 random people, including 22,000 who had used the drugs at least once, included in a health survey in the US.

Clinical psychologist Pål-Ørjan Johansen, who carried out the study with researcher Teri Krebs, said: 'After adjusting for other risk factors, lifetime use of LSD, psilocybin, mescaline or peyote, or past year use of LSD was not associated with a higher rate of mental health problems or receiving mental health treatment.'
The team studied the 2001-2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health which asked people about mental health conditions including general psychological distress, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychosis.
Krebs and Johansen used the data to investigate connections between the use of psychedelic drugs and the mental health issues.

The researchers said rather than finding a connection between their use and an increase in problems, they discovered long-term use of drugs such as psilocybin or mescaline was linked to 'lower rates of serious psychological distress'.
Meanwhile, people who had used LSD in the last 12 months were also associated with lower rates of distress, while those who had used the drug long-term had a lower rate of treatment for mental health issues.
The researchers have said it is not possible to determine the reason behind their discoveries, because of the nature of the study, and warned the drugs could be harmful to some.

They wrote: 'We cannot exclude the possibility that use of psychedelics might have a negative effect on mental health for some individuals or groups, perhaps counterbalanced at a population level by a positive effect on mental health in others.'
The researchers pointed out that recent trials 'have also failed to find any evidence of any lasting harmful effects of psychedelics'.
Krebs said: 'Everything has some potential for negative effects, but psychedelic use is overall considered to pose a very low risk to the individual and to society.'
The results are published in the journal PLOS One.

Sunday, 18 August 2013

The dark side of Ibiza & drugs article

An article from the papers today talking about the dark side of Ibiza and its changing drugs culture and seedier side which is worth a read...

A crowded dancefloor is hemmed in by multiple VIP areas. Topless men with flawless physiques perform camp manoeuvres on a stage. As Ibiza's flagship club, Pacha, celebrated its 40th year of existence, its denizens were in party mood last week.
Built in 1973 on former wasteland, a place that started life as an all-night cosy party venue attended by friends, hippies and locals has become the venue of choice for those with deep pockets. Entry can be as much as €100 (£85), or €440 for a VIP table, "mixer" drinks are around €20 and a bottle of water costs €12. But for those able to afford it, all the fabled glamour of Ibiza is here.
Outside it is something of a different story. For all the hands-in-the-air moments, this ever-popular hedonistic island has a dark side that is getting darker. Ibiza is now operating at two different speeds. On the streets of San Antonio, "looky looky" men loiter and ask people if they want to buy sunglasses, and then ask if they want drugs.
"I've seen English dealers running after them at the end of the season when they don't pay their debts," said Peter Nee, Privilege club PR manager. "The police chase them on their bikes sometimes, but it's all cat and mouse."
Following the arrest in Peru of Michaella McCollum Connolly, 20, from Co Tyrone, and Melissa Reid, 19, from Lenzie, near Glasgow, who were stopped at Lima airport for allegedly smuggling £1.5m of cocaine, Ibiza's drug culture is in the headlines again.
Like hundreds of others, Connolly and Reid had spent the summer working in clubs and bars on the island, where the lure of illicit substances, to consume or sell, is constant.
In the early days, there was a "happy" drug culture of marijuana, then LSD in the 1970s and ecstasy in the 1990s. Now, people opt for ketamine, GHB and cocaine.
Given the high prices in clubs such as Pacha, some succumb to the lavish lifestyle by dealing drugs; others fall into a pattern of free parties at villas and on yachts, sometimes thrown by dubious hosts. Many avoid overpriced drinks altogether, taking drugs as a far cheaper alternative.
This young summer workforce, employed as dancers, flyer distributors, waiters and hospitality staff, earn just about enough to live. The Spanish landlords of the cramped apartments, where two or three people share a room, charge them around half their monthly pay. There is hot competition for each job and a constant tussle to get the bar and restaurant owners to pay them the right amount, and on time. Fern Bowler, 20, from Guildford, Surrey, a waitress in San Antonio, said she could see how people can fall into the Ibiza drug culture.
"Dealing over here isn't like back home, it's normal," she said. "Doing ketamine would be frowned on in the UK, but here every Tom, Dick and Harry does it.
"They sell drugs behind the bars and some people even brought some over with them in protein tubs. Nothing is innocent here." Another worker, who has been here for five summers, agreed: "Workers on the island can easily fall into the wrong circles.
"It's not the first time someone on the island will have done this. When they look at those girls, people are saying: 'It could have been me'."
In July, a British mother of two drowned after going for a late-night swim in Ibiza having taken a cocktail of illegal drugs. Next day, her body was found washed up on the shore.
In recent weeks, Grant Weston, 24, from Pembroke, died after falling from a balcony following a night out with friends, and Michael Jordan Hill, 19, from Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, was seriously injured after falling from the fourth floor of a hotel.
But despite the seamier underside to life on the island, its reputation and prestige persist. More than 600,000 Brits went on holiday to Ibiza in 2012 and tour operators are reporting even higher booking levels this year. Clearly, though, something has been lost through the sheer commercial success of the Ibiza brand.
Terry Farley, co-founder of the record label Junior Boys Own, whose artists have included Underworld and the Chemical Brothers, has been going to the island since the early 1990s. He thinks the VIP culture of clubs such as Pacha has become a micro-climate of corporate brands and a world turned upside down by money: "The VIP culture has ruined the island for everyone – apart from investment bankers and drug dealers," he said.
Bill Brewster, co-author of Last Night a DJ Saved my Life, said: "It always had that element of celebrity, but it never felt like that; it felt like everybody dancing together in a cosmopolitan way.
"I do still enjoy it, but the purity of it all has been dissipated by the money. For me, it seems to be a bit of a cash cow for British promoters to fleece gullible clubbers of their money."
Though many former punters might agree with that assessment, there are more than enough new recruits to take their place. But after the events of last week, the high-roller side of the island has been overshadowed by the story unfolding in Peru.
The Spanish owner of the Amsterdam bar in San Antonio, where McCollum Connolly briefly worked, has lived in Ibiza for 40 years. He said drugs were ruining the island.
"It's run by an English mafia between Manchester and Liverpool, there were shootings between them a few years ago. Two people have died from drugs just in the last few weeks."
He added: "Ibiza destroys young people. It's paradise, but it's also hell."

ISLAND LIFE

1960s Tourism to Ibiza started to boom in the 1960s when the island played host to an influx of young hippies arriving from across Europe. They were attracted by the weather, relaxed attitudes and the island's natural beauty, and were part of the blossoming of the flower power revolution.
1970s The first nightclubs and discos opened in the 1970s, attracting a new range of young people. Among them was the Pacha dance club, a mainstay of the island's nightlife ever since.
1980s New clubs emerged, including Paradis and the Star, which catered to both British and continental tastes. The island became associated with the rise of house, electronic and rave music – and the birth of what became known as the Balearic sound. More young Britons took their holidays on the island than ever before.
1990s By the end of the decade, Ibiza had become a premier destination for Britons. Club entry prices were high, and many areas filled with drunken tourists over the summer. Sky TV released a documentary series on such holidays called Ibiza Uncovered.
2000s There was a boom in tourists arriving on all-inclusive cut-price package deals soon after the millennium. Many cheap apartments were bought up by British and European businesspeople. While droves of young Britons were still out to enjoy themselves, resentment was growing among some the island's locals.

Friday, 26 July 2013

Who uses what drugs. Interesting article

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2013/jul/25/britons-illegal-drugs-who-they

There is an interesting article in The Guardian today with stats on what drugs people are using and which people do each. It seems young people are less likely to be frequent drug users and cocaine is a rich mans drug. Some obvious and some not so obvious facts. Take a read

We hope to be doing more regular posts and updates this month as we have been a bit quiet due to other work pressures

Saturday, 18 May 2013

Interesting article about the legalisation of Cannabis in Denver, USA. The way forward?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/may/17/cannabis-colorados-budding-industry

Read the article above for an interesting look at the possible future for legalisation of Cannabis.  Examining Denver in Colorado
and it forthcoming legalisation of Cannabis in 2014 following a vote of the people in favour.

Will the rest of the USA follow or even the world?  

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Police warn of possible deadly batch of Ecstasy that is actually

Police are reporting that a number of people have died after taking Ecstasy in the North of England over the past month and therefore users should be more aware then ever of what they are taking and from who.  It appears the batch of tablets contains the MDMA like drug PMA which is far more deadly.

Read more below and be careful out there all you ravers.  If people were able to by legal / tested version this would never been an issue and these deaths may never have occurred....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/22/police-contaminated-ecstasy-tablets-deaths

Monday, 14 January 2013

Police admit they cant control legal highs


Report from the BBC showing why forcing people into trying completely untried drugs is not the answer...
Deaths linked to legal highs may just be the first signs of the damage they do, according to a medical expert.
In total 43 people in the UK died after taking now-outlawed methcathinones in 2010, the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths said.
This compared with five deaths in 2009, its report said.
But Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, founder of the Club Drug Clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said: "We may just be seeing the tip of the iceberg."
A BBC investigation revealed untested chemicals were being sold in London.
"The concern I have is that in two or three years, we'll begin to see the consequences of the harm that's going on now," Mr Jones added.
'Unknown risks'
Dr John Ramsey, a toxicologist at St George's Hospital, described how there are dozens of types of untested and sometimes deadly chemicals that are being sold legally in London.
Dr John Ramsey,Dr John Ramsey said users could not know the risks
"We put a urinal in Wardour Street in Soho and found 60 different drugs in there," he said.
"I think these are probably the first people who have taken these compounds.
"They've never been evaluated as drugs anywhere in the world before," he added.
"They can't possibly know the risks of the compounds they're taken."
He described how "these things are made in China, shipped over here, a kid buys a gram and takes it".
As part of its investigation, BBC Inside Out legally ordered £640 of chemicals from China, packaged in a bag labelled: "Harmful if swallowed. May damage an unborn child. Avoid breathing dust and fumes. If exposed, call a poison centre".
Experts told the programme these are the type of chemicals that are sold in 1g bags for £15 each in London - meaning the £640 of chemicals from China could have a London street value of £15,000.
'Kids dying'
Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) drugs spokesman Tim Hollis said: "Kids are sending around party invites with a link on where to buy your drugs.
"The Home Office and police find that extremely difficult to get our heads around and we are flat footed."
Benzo FurySome of the drugs have now been banned but new ones keep appearing
Baroness Molly Meacher, of the Parliamentary Drug Policy Group, said: "The UK Border Agency has got great hangars full of little packets of white powder.
"They just simply haven't got the technology, they haven't got the money, they haven't got the resources.
"They don't know what's in all those packages."

Start Quote

I went in to Tesco naked and assaulted a police officer - they asked me what are you on? ”
Katie Wilson,Former Benzo Fury user
The Metropolitan Police and UK Border Agency (UKBA) declined to be interviewed by BBC Inside Out.
But Dr Ramsey said: "Controlling substances... all it does is spawn the production of one that isn't controlled.
"We're damned if we do and damned if we don't."
Katie Wilson, 19, from east London, described her experience of taking now banned drug Benzo Fury.
"I got a lot of euphoria, happiness, I presumed like ecstasy," she said. "After the Benzo had worn off, I swore I was going to die."
"I went in to Tesco naked and assaulted a police officer.
"They asked me what sort are you on? Heroin? Crack? Crystal meth?"
Maryon Stewart's daughter Hester died after taking the now banned substance GBL.
Ms Stewart has since set up the Angelas Foundation, which highlights the risks of legal highs.
"There are kids dying every week. The youngest I've heard of is 14 years old," she said.