‘Copycat drugs are leading to psychosis in young people’

Several youths have been diagnosed with a severe mental disorder after using synthetic copycat drugs. Consultant psychiatrist Anton Grech yesterday described the increase in ‘legal highs’ as one of the main challenges that face emergency psychiatric care on the island. “We have had patients exhibiting bizarre psychotic behaviour after using these drugs, slamming their heads against the wall, hearing voices and seeing visions,” Dr Grech said. Psychosis is characterised by an impaired relationship with reality and is considered a severe mental disorder. The Sunday Times of Malta  reported this week that local drug dealers were importing Chinese chemicals used to make synthetic cannabis and spraying it on plants themselves to meet demand. The island’s foremost drug experts believe that more than half of all narcotics being sold in Malta are Chinese chemicals, as opposed to ‘traditional’ drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy. Dr Grech, who is also the chairman of Mental Health Services, said the phenomenon of drug users opting for synthetic alternatives had increased noticeably in recent months. WATCH: Fake ecstasy and cocaine are gaining traction in Malta “Why this is we can’t really...