Over the Christmas festival period, here in Co. Tipperary, three teenagers have been reported as hospitalised, having eaten jellies containing synthetic cannabinoids.
We understand that two of the teenagers became seriously ill after consuming this product; packaged as “Jolly Rancher Jellies” and sold as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles.
Question: So what are Synthetic Cannabinoids? Answer: Chemicals designed to act like the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, and also called Amsterdam Gold; Annihilation; Black Mamba; Blue Cheese; Bombay Blue Extreme; X; Clockwork Orange; Devil’s Weed; Ecsess; Exodus Damnation; K2; Mary Joy; Spice; and Tai High Hawaiian Haze.
The effects of consuming Synthetic Cannabinoids are similar to smoking cannabis but stronger. Side effects can include:- known associated death; acute kidney injury; nausea, vomiting and mood swings; sweating and tingly feelings in fingers and toes; loss of muscle coordination; a worsening of mental health; a triggering of psychotic episodes which can last for weeks; memory problems, and dependence on the use of synthetic cannabinoids, if used regularly.
As we stated yesterday, a search by Gardaí of a house in the Clonmel area of Tipperary on New Year’s Eve resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected cannabis-infused edibles; including cash and vape oil.
The seized products have now been submitted to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis and Gardaí are advising the public to seek immediate medical attention if others have consumed such products and are feeling unwell.
A Garda spokesperson has confirmed that a criminal investigation into this seizure is ongoing. Gardaí are also appealing to anyone with information relating to this seizure, to contact them at Clonmel Garda Station, Tel. No: 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.
Gardaí in Co. Tipperary recently seized a large quantity of edibles suspected of containing synthetic cannabinoids. An investigation into this product seizure, latter intended for sale or supply, remains ongoing. If you have consumed any of these products and have become unwell, you are being asked to seek immediate urgent medical attention.
Photo courtesy Tipperary Gardaí
The HSE is currently concerned about the public health risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids appearing in jellies and sweets, being sold as Tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) edibles in Ireland.
Today January 6th 2023, the HSE National Social Inclusion Office has issued a risk communication on the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in cannabis and THC products. A small number of hospitalisations have occurred following the consumption of edible products (Jolly Rancher jellies) during the period of December 2022, here in the Tipperary Region.
Note: Upon analysis from Forensic Science Ireland, these edible products have been found to contain new and risky substances known as synthetic cannabinoids.
Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals produced to mimic the effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Often, products do not contain THC, but instead, they can contain a synthetic cannabinoid which will produce similar, more potent effects. They will greatly increase the risks of a drug emergency occurring, because they produce more intense adverse effects. Their use has caused many serious poisonings, mass poisonings and deaths internationally in recent years.
There has been increased concern in Ireland and throughout Europe regarding the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids, contained within products sold as cannabis or THC edibles and a number of warnings have been issued throughout Europe to raise awareness among the general public, including warnings from the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland. The HSE have previously expressed concern in relation to the risk of synthetic cannabinoids appearing in herbal (plant material),vape liquid/oil, edible and other THC products in Ireland through their website Drugs.ie.
It is anticipated that counterfeit edible products available on the market are made in clandestine laboratories and the potency and contents of products cannot be guaranteed. A number of these products seized recently have been analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and have been found to contain only new and extra risky synthetic cannabinoids and not in fact any THC as indicted on the packaging.
Synthetic cannabinoid exposure: signs for concern:
Feeling dizzy, confusion, abnormal sweating, respiratory issues (difficulty breathing or lack of breathing), chest pain/rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, agitation, aggression, psychotic behaviour, hallucinations, delusions, seizures or fits. They can also lead to sudden loss of consciousness.
The HSE advise the public that there is a high level of risk associated with THC edibles currently being sold illegally in Ireland, as on occasion they do not contain THC but instead contain a synthetic cannabinoid.
For people who use cannabis, we remind them of the current risk of synthetic cannabinoid exposure and encourage people not to be afraid or hesitate to get medical help, if someone has an unexpected reaction or becomes physically or mentally unwell, following use.
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Breda Smyth, is urging parents to continue to be mindful of others when their children are sick and to keep them home from school and childcare facilities, if they are displaying new symptoms of illness.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is continuing to spread, with these three respiratory viruses, accounting for more than 1,200 hospitalisations last week.
Professor Smyth also strongly advised anyone with any new flu-like symptoms, to stay at home to avoid spreading infection to other potentially more vulnerable people.
Parents were also reminded by Professor Smyth that children should be kept at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have fully or substantially resolved.
More child sexual abuse material removed from the Internet last year than in previous 21 years combined
Early results on removal of intimate image abuse are encouraging
The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, has welcomed the publication of the 2021 Annual Report of Hotline.ie, the national reporting service for potentially criminal content online, including child sexual abuse material and intimate image abuse.
Last year, Hotline.ie received the highest number of reports on record in a calendar year, some 29,794 reports compared with 10,699 the previous year. It means that there were as many reports in 2021 as in the previous three years combined.
Minister Harris said, “This marks another year of the important, worthy and difficult work done by Hotline.ie in providing a means for members of the public to confidentially, anonymously and securely report suspected illegal content online, and in particular child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In collaboration with An Garda Síochána, and overseen by the Department of Justice, Hotline.ie has undertaken this work for 22 years with great diligence and professionalism.
Prioritising online safety is a key element in building stronger and safer communities under the Programme for Government, and addressing complex issues in this space has, and continues to be, a priority.”
The majority of the reports related to suspected child sex abuse material, with some 14,772 assessed by the analysts at Hotline.ie as relating to child sexual abuse. This represents 25% more child sexual abuse material reports received, classified and actioned by Hotline.ie than in the previous 21 years combined. Each report can involve anything from a single image to thousands of images and videos, with victims ranging in age from infants younger than three to pubescent children.
Minister Harris added, “Each image is a crime. Each image has a victim, or victims, who have suffered abuse, and who are re-victimised each time their abuse is viewed as it is shared across the globe. We must never become hardened or inured to these figures.”
Minister Harris also noted Ireland’s support of the EU’s focus on this important area and our commitment to working with our partners to agree comprehensive requirements for online companies to assess and mitigate the extent to which their platforms are being misused for the purposes of child sexual abuse.
This is both in terms of hosting material and the exploitation by abusers of online services for the purposes of grooming children
The 2021 Hotline.ie report also includes, for the first time, statistics on intimate image abuse (IIA), or the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos. On the back of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, which Minister McEntee enacted early in 2021, the Department of Justice partnered with Hotline.ie to make reporting intimate image abuse as easy as possible for as many victims as possible.
Once illegal content is reported to Hotline.ie, their experts assess the report and decide on next steps, including getting the content removed from the internet.
Minister Harris added, “Between September 2021 and September 2022, Hotline.ie received 773 reports of suspected IIA. Of the 525 of these that Hotline.ie could take action on – as they contained active and publicly accessible online addresses – some 94pc have been successfully removed at source. The removal rate is very encouraging, particularly as none of the content was hosted in Ireland. Hotline.ie liaises with An Garda Síochana where appropriate on these cases, and it is of course open to victims to contact our police service directly.”
The annual report shows that 83% of those affected by intimate image abuse were female, with some 73pc between the ages of 25 and 34. In approximately half of the cases, the imagery was found on video streaming sites.
Ms Ana Niculescu, (Chief Executive of Hotline.ie), said, “We understand that going through such an experience can cause significant distress and even have long-lasting impact on a person’s life and wellbeing. The team at Hotline.ie is honoured to be able to play an active role to break the cycle of abuse, prevent repeat-victimisation, and support those who have been victims of intimate image abuse on their healing journey.”
Minister of State James Browne TD announces €832,000 in once off in funding for 42 Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) nationwide
Just under €832,000 in once-off funding being allocated to 42 Youth Diversion Projects throughout the State
Funding will go towards assisting with renovations to premises, transport and IT equipment to enhance the activities and services they offer to the young people they work with.
This follows on the advertisement of a Call for Expressions of interest from community-based organisations in relation to the establishment of 4 new projects in 2023, which issued on 30 November and an increase of €6.7m in the annual budget for youth justice services and projects in 2022. An additional €2.5m will be made available in 2023.
Amongst the YDP’s to benefit in Tipperary are:-
YDP
Provider
Amount
Clonmel & Carrick-on-Suir YDPs
Waterford & South Tipperary Youth Service
1,677.00
Roscrea
North Tipperary Development Company
1,900.00
Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Justice, Mr James Browne, is delighted to announce some €832,000 in once off in funding for 42 Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) nationwide.
YDPs engage with young people through a range of supports, including education, training and employment support, social enterprise initiatives, as well as personal development and supports such as mentoring, and personal development activities.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Browne said: “I have seen first-hand the positive impact these projects have on both the young people who they welcome through their doors and the wider communities in which they are based. This once-off funding is being made available from overall savings in the Justice Vote. I am delighted we are able to put this funding to good use in supporting YDPs with much-needed premises renovations and repairs, with IT equipment and with new and replacement transport vehicles. This money will be of direct benefit to the young people the project work with in ensuring greater access to training and education facilities and activities that promote pro-social behaviour.”
This announcement follows on from the publication of the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 last year, which provides a developmental framework to address key ongoing challenges, as well as new and emerging issues, in the youth justice area. A major change contained in this Strategy is a new and expanded mandate for the YDPs across the State.
Additional funding of €6.7 million was allocated to youth justice services in Budget 2022, which sees a substantial increase from €18 million to €24 million on the previous year’s budget. A further additional €2.5m will be available in 2023.
Minister Heather Humphreys said: “I am delighted that we have been able to allocate these extra resources to the Youth Diversion Projects. This funding will provide practical improvements to the premises projects work from, and the services and activities they are able to provide for the young people they work with. I admire the fantastic work of everybody involved in the projects – Youth Justice Workers, JLOs and local Garda management – that I have been privileged to see at first hand”.
The Funds Administration Unit in the Department of Justice will now contact each YDP that has been approved for a grant, to ensure early payment as per the agreed allocations.
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