'˜Bad batch' of Spice sparking medical crisis in Blackpool

Officers said they were inundated with reports of people becoming ‘very ill and requiring medical treatment’ yesterday.

“Please be aware that this drug can have very adverse side effects, and it is likely that there is a bad batch in circulation,” a spokesman said.

Those who experience any side effects after taking the illegal substance, or even those who witness somebody displaying symptoms, have been urged to ‘seek immediate medical attention’.

Earlier this year, The Gazette revealed how Spice had taken its grip on the town – with images taken in broad daylight showing how suspected users were turned into ‘zombies’ by the substance, frozen like statues in the street as shoppers walk past them.

Our investigation into the problem, which authorities said was no worse than in other major towns and cities, sparked calls for action to help addicts ditching heroin in favour of Spice because it is so cheap.

Coun Tony Williams said at the time: “This can kill people and it turns them into zombies. Not only do these people need help, they need taking off our streets.”