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Drug leaves Lancaster University students in hospital Drug leaves Lancaster University students in hospital
(about 2 hours later)
Five students have been taken to hospital, with two in a critical condition, after taking an "unknown substance" - thought to be a synthetic cannabis substitute. Five students have been taken to hospital, with two in a "conscious but stable condition", after taking a substance thought to be a synthetic cannabis substitute.
Lancaster University initially posted a Twitter alert, saying the group had fallen ill on Wednesday after taking the drug Spice.Lancaster University initially posted a Twitter alert, saying the group had fallen ill on Wednesday after taking the drug Spice.
It urged people to check on their friends and call 999 if necessary.It urged people to check on their friends and call 999 if necessary.
Three of the students have since been discharged but two remain in hospital.Three of the students have since been discharged but two remain in hospital.
Lancashire Police said it was carrying out its own investigation into the "exact nature of the substance" the students had taken. Lancashire Police said it was working closely with Lancaster University and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary "to identify the exact nature of the substance, which at this stage appears to be some form of cannabis substitute".
Ambulances were called to Grizedale College, a student hall, at about 18:30 BST on Wednesday.
A statement from the university said: "The university issued a warning to students. Due to the serious conditions of the students and the fact the substance could not be confirmed as legal, officers attended the university to carry out a search of the students' rooms.
What are synthetic cannabinoids?What are synthetic cannabinoids?
Source: FrankSource: Frank
"Two of the students remain in hospital, and three students have since been discharged. Ambulances were called to Grizedale College, a student hall, at about 18:30 BST on Wednesday.
"Inquiries are ongoing to identify the exact nature of the substance." A university statement said: "The university issued a warning to students. Due to the serious conditions of the students and the fact the substance could not be confirmed as legal, officers attended the university to carry out a search of the students' rooms."
Spice, the drug the university originally said the students had taken, is a plant-based mix coated with synthetic chemicals that work on the same part of the brain as the active ingredient in cannabis.Spice, the drug the university originally said the students had taken, is a plant-based mix coated with synthetic chemicals that work on the same part of the brain as the active ingredient in cannabis.
It was among a number of legal highs outlawed in 2009 amid growing concerns they posed a threat to users' health.It was among a number of legal highs outlawed in 2009 amid growing concerns they posed a threat to users' health.
Although now banned, Spice and similar drugs can be bought online, with China and the Far East the main areas for production.Although now banned, Spice and similar drugs can be bought online, with China and the Far East the main areas for production.
Charity DrugScope said there were no figures detailing the extent of the use of Spice but the number of sites selling the drug before the ban suggested a "substantial user base in the UK" and elsewhere.Charity DrugScope said there were no figures detailing the extent of the use of Spice but the number of sites selling the drug before the ban suggested a "substantial user base in the UK" and elsewhere.