WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has joined other PCCs calling for ‘Spice’ to be reclassified as a Class A drug, because of the devastating impact it can have.

In a letter to the Home Office, Commissioner John Campion is one of 20 PCCs raising the issue of synthetic cannabinoid products, which have emerged on the drugs market within recent years and can have incapacitating and unpredictable psychoactive effects on users.

The Worcester News previously exposed the impact of the drug - also known as Black Mamba - on the city by publishing photographs of suspected users slouched across benches in Broad Street, Worcester.

Experts told this newspaper that the former ‘legal high’ - which was banned in 2016 - was becoming increasingly popular in the city and one paramedic warned that some of her patients had died from it.

Nationally, the substances have been linked to 27 deaths in one year and are creating extra demand for policing and other public services.

Commissioner John Campion said “I welcome the Governments approach to tackling illegal substance misuse, however there is more to be done around this specific emerging issue.

"I pledge to contribute as commissioner through grant funding and by ensuring our local police force have the resources to deal with the changing picture.

"This issue needs an effective and consistent approach, with involvement from all agencies including public health, mental health and addiction services.

"Together we can work to tackle the root of this complex issue in order to reduce demand on public services, and the issues associated with psychoactive substances in our communities.”

Mr Campion says he has already provided grant funding for drug addiction services including Swanswell in Worcestershire.