Police forces in small towns in the UK are being overwhelmed by the proliferation of ‘monkey dust,’ a type of meth that gives homeless junkies what seems like superpowers. The situation has gotten so bad that Parliament is considering rescheduling monkey dust as a Class A drug, meaning dealers caught possessing it would face life in prison.
Monkey dust reportedly gives addicts the ability to eat glass or jump off of tall buildings. This still kills them, obviously, but they don’t notice the pain at the time. It also gives them a massive adrenaline rush that provides superhuman strength, so they can overpower the British police, who aren’t allowed to carry guns.
“These synthetic drugs ruin lives, families, and neighborhoods,” says UK Minister of State Chris Philp. “Made in labs and pumped into our communities, our drug laws must keep pace with their evolution.”
Monkey dust is a type of synthetic cathinone, a form of meth that functions similarly to amphetamines or bath salts. The stuff is cheap and homemade, so it’s often mixed with other chemicals and drugs as well. It can be snorted, injected, swallowed, or smoked. Once a person takes it, they experience a huge rush of adrenaline and euphoria. The effects can last up to 12 hours for a $25 hit.
The drug is supposedly even more addictive than heroin or cocaine, which are also Class A drugs in the UK. Homeless people with superpowers don’t sound like a good idea for any community. The fact that it’s hitting small towns in the UK is especially worrisome for residents. The police say they simply need more resources to deal with the problem, starting with the reclassification of monkey dust as a more serious controlled substance.
