DESPITE a Bolton health chief warning that Monkey Dust is impacting the mental health services at A&E the authorities are close-lipped about the issue.
North West Ambulance Service confirmed that they had issued advice to their managers about Monkey Dust which has been distributed to paramedics.
Greater Manchester Police declined to comment on the drug and the picture in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust which runs the rapid assessment, interface and discharge (RAID) team at Royal Bolton Hospital also declined to comment.
It is understood that the drug has not yet been flagged up on the Greater Manchester early warning system for drugs.
SPECIAL REPORT: READ MORE
SPECIAL REPORT: Monkey Dust menace hits Bolton, health chiefs warn
Monkey Dust: How big is the issue?
Due to the way incidents are recorded the National Police Chiefs Council was unable to provide a national picture about how widespread the problem of Monkey Dust is.
The drug has received national coverage as a result of the actions of people using it in the Midlands.
Local media in Stoke have reported on the proliferation of the drug and the Police and Crime Commissioner has called on the drug to be reclassified as a Class A drug.
In the last three months police officers in Staffordshire have responded to 950 incidents involving Monkey Dust. An average of 10 per day.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel