A WARNING has been issued by North West Ambulance Service following an increase in 999 calls as a result of patients consuming so-called "legal highs."

The service has also noticed patients becoming violent and aggressive after taking these substances, posing a threat to ambulance staff who often bear the brunt of uncontrollable behaviour.

Paramedics say there has been a growing trend in recent months across the region of people who are using these products in the same way as illegal drugs often with serious health consequences - in some cases even resulting in death. 

Legal highs are psychoactive drugs that contain various chemical ingredients, some of which are illegal while others are not. They produce similar effects to illegal drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. 

Senior paramedic Wayne Pemberton said: “These substances are not designed for human consumption and people should not be fooled into thinking they are safe because of their nickname.

“I have witnessed a change in the extremity of the symptoms presented in people who have taken these ‘legal highs,’ such as hallucination, unconsciousness and even respiratory arrest and, as we have no idea what chemicals have gone into the drugs, it can be difficult to know how to treat these patients.

“It is particularly concerning seeing young people take these substances as they become extremely vulnerable and can easily get themselves into dangerous positions as they lose their inhibitions are not in control of their actions.”

Sector manager for the service, David Rigby, said: “The effects of patients taking ‘legal highs’ are extremely worrying as symptoms are sporadic and unpredictable.

“We have seen such a wide range of people falling victim to these substances, from youngsters to hardened drug users, as they are found to be easily accessible and relatively cheap to buy but, as we have seen first-hand, the effects can be detrimental.”

The ambulance trust urges people not to take the risk and stay away from these substances as there is no way of knowing what ingredients have gone into them or what effect they will have on each individual.

The Government has proposed a Psychoactive Substances Bill, which would be applied to "any substance intended for human consumption that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect".

Ministers will publish "landmark" draft laws to prohibit the substances' production, distribution, sale and supply.

For further advice on drug use, contact the FRANK drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600 or call NWAS’ 111 service.