Watchdog warns against drug use as ‘new substance’ probed

The government’s advisory agency on illicit drugs has issued a fresh appeal to citizens not to experiment with mood-altering drugs, while it probes the apparent arrival of a new psychoactive substance.

Barbados TODAY has learned that the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) is on high alert after discovering social media videos depicting the impact of the purported substance on users.

The NCSA issued a statement on Friday acknowledging the presence of several videos showing the use of this new substance and advised Barbadians to seek assistance from the NCSA.

“While this is a matter of grave concern to us, we are unable to identify the exact nature of the substance at this time,” said the council in a statement. “Nevertheless, we have initiated our investigations and expect to release an official statement by next week.

“The Council reminds all individuals to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution concerning their physical well-being, particularly during this festive weekend. We continue to strongly discourage the experimentation with mood-altering substances, as this could lead to serious health complications.”

Barbados TODAY has viewed several of these alleged videos circulating on social media. In these short videos, at least two men can be seen appearing to have undergone a mood change and be severely mentally and physically impaired after apparently consuming the substance.

In one video, after purportedly smoking what is referred to as “hard weed”, one man appeared agitated and had to be seated in a chair. He was then encouraged by those around him to drink a bottle of water.

In another video, another man was seen shaking and struggling to sit upright while proclaiming: “That weed vicious.”

Other footage showed an individual who supposedly used the “hard weed” struggling to stand and exhibiting signs of impaired mental faculties.

Troy Wickham, the Deputy Manager of the NCSA, in a brief interview, gave an assurance that its investigations would be completed by early next week. This would enable the NCSA to furnish Barbadians with some answers regarding this development.

“Our early warning system mechanism is actually actively investigating it to get factual information to the public as it relates to new psychoactive substances on the market locally or new ways of using the old drugs,” Wickham said.

(AH)