Synthetic drug 'ravaging Blackpool and turning people's empathy off'

A charity worker warns people become 'aggressive' and have 'their empathy turned off' while on the drug

The homeless community in Blackpool is said to have become addicted to the drug which costs 'between £5 and £10' a gram (Getty Images)

A charity has warned Blackpool's homeless population is being ravaged by the synthetic cannabis drug called Spice.

Helen Gavaghan, who works for Blackpool Fulfilling Lives, told the Observer that the drug, a former legal high banned in 2009, has replaced heroin and alcohol as the drug most frequently used by the homeless.

The cannabinoid mimics the effects of cannabis by stimulating the same parts of the brain.

Cannabis substitute Spice allegedly increases violence among users (Creative Commons)

The brand name is also being used for similar drugs manufactured in Asia which are sold legally online and in head shops around the country.

With a street value of between £5 and £10 for a gram, Ms Gavaghan said it is cheap to “make 20 spliffs that will get 40 people out of it”.

Ms Gavaghan said: “It’s popular with people with no money because it’s cheaper, it’s stronger, so a small amount lasts a lot longer.

“Two or three tokes and you’re in oblivion. People on it, they’re not in there any more. They can walk around but their face is flat, they’re not really hearing. Often they’re aggressive. Their empathy has been turned off.”

Earlier this year, legal highs were blamed for a rise in violence in prisons and the number of inmates admitted to hospital after using drugs.

In May, five students at Lancaster University were rushed to hospital after smoking the drug.