ALERT: 'Men having suspicious thoughts' after vaping legal drug sold in Ireland

A leading addiction expert has warned that young men are having "suspicious thoughts" after vaping a drug which is being sold legally in Ireland. 

Head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital, Prof Colin O'Gara, told RTE's Prime Time programme on Tuesday about the dangers of the drug which is subject to a nationwide warning.

Professor O'Gara said "this is not a benign drug," adding, "we're seeing young men in particular vaping the drug and they're becoming addicted. I'm an addiction specialist so that's why they're being referred to me. These young men are having suspicious thoughts, they feel people are talking about them. These are what we call ideas of reference and sometimes these thoughts can be held with complete conviction. That would be the definition of delusion."

The news comes amid a HSE warning over the new substance and the mental health risk it poses for young people. The HSE said it is concerned about the use of cannabinoids, particularly the newly emerged substance HHC, for which there is limited information.  

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, said: "We have on-going concerns about the health impacts associated with current use patterns, in particular mental health reactions we have observed. Through our work last year, we are aware of adverse physical and mental issues from substances such as MDMA, ketamine and cocaine at events.

"In addition to this, we are now also concerned regarding vapes, and cannabinoids such as the newly emerged substance HHC, which there is limited information on from a health perspective. Concerningly, we are observing increases in adolescent presentations to addiction services for young people experiencing mental health problems from reported use of this substance.

"This is not a benign drug."

Head of addiction services at St John of God Hospital Prof Colin O'Gara tells @miriamocal about the dangers of the HHC drug, which is legal and sold in vape shops. @rtenews | #rtept pic.twitter.com/MAe8sGsI5y

— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) May 28, 2024

"Last summer we provided 76 hours of outreach at three events to support festival attendees and following the analysis of 220 surrendered drugs, we identified a number of trends of concern and issued eight risk communications about high strength MDMA, cocaine and ketamine which is an indication of current trends.

The HSE will now carry out "back of house" testing of drugs at big summer events and festivals.

For more information, visit www.drugs.ie/festivals or follow the conversation @drugsdotie or #HSESaferNightlife.