A substance known as 'Monkey Dust', the latest in a long line of synthetic drugs linked to a string of gruesome attacks, has sparked an epidemic warning in the UK.
In the most recent case, a man was found by police officers on top of a roof after having taken the highly addictive substance. The unnamed man was seen swaying and appeared to be preparing to jump off the building.
Advert
But this isn't the first incident the police have been involved in - the drug has reportedly been linked to a number of 'face-eating' attacks over in the US too, hence its other nickname: 'Cannibal Dust'.
According to the Sun, the drug is so strong that its effects last for three days and leave some users unable to feel pain for up to a week.
The 'highly unpredictable' substance can put users in a violent, paranoid state, with many cases citing 'superhuman strength'.
One police officer, PC Rich Frost, said: "When you are trying to restrain them it's like you are dealing with someone who thinks they are the Incredible Hulk, the strength is unbelievable."
Not only is it incredibly strong, but it is also incredibly cheap, costing roughly £2 per hit street value.
Advert
Police officers and paramedics have warned the drug's use has reached epidemic levels, with Staffordshire being hit so hard by its nasty side effects, it is already working on ways to tackle the supply.
If you're not put off by the drug already, Paramedic Steven Rust described how his colleague said Stoke-on-Trent resembled a zombie film due to its widespread use.
"There is no regular pattern of behaviour and there is a psychosis of being paranoid, mixed in with all that and superhuman strength in some cases, and they have no fear of doing anything," he said.
"There was a comment from a colleague who said he drove through Stoke-on-Trent a couple of nights ago and it was like a scene from the Night of the Living Dead."
Advert
Meanwhile, Ch Supt Jeff Moore said those under the influence of Monkey Dust were 'difficult to deal with' and posed 'a risk not just to other people but to themselves as well'.
He added: "We have seen cases where we've got people running into traffic, we've seen cases where we've got people climbing onto buildings. It is that unpredictability that is causing that concern."
Monkey Dust has put a strain on the emergency services too, as its workers also find the 'unpredictability' difficult to deal with.
Paramedic Ann Armstrong, who has worked for the local Ambulance service for over 15 years, said: "You just don't know what they will do... I've had one trying to set my trousers on fire as I was treating him.
Advert
"It is an epidemic and something needs to be done."
Featured Image Credit: Sky News