Sheffield City Council has urged people to stop taking photos of "spice zombies", saying the drug can be "distressing".

It comes after images of people collapsed on street corners or slumped on benches after taking the synthetic cannabis substitute have spread online.

Spice, a former legal high, is a psychoactive substance designed to mimic the effects of cannabis.

It is a mix of herbs - shredded plant material - and man-made chemicals with mind-altering effects.

Users are sometimes referred to as "zombies" and photos of people under the influence are often shared on social media.


The council tweeted: "Spice can be distressing for both the user and members of the public.

"Please be compassionate by not taking photos."

Spice can be distressing for both the user and members of the public. Please be compassionate by not taking photos. Here’s some useful information https://t.co/tCRxKWNL8O pic.twitter.com/1DBIeXP5NY — SheffieldCityCouncil (@SheffCouncil) September 30, 2018

Substance abuse charity Addaction praised the council's actions, calling the tweet a "humane" request.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Compassion for people whose lives have taken a wrong turn is really important.

"Sheffield City Council are taking a humane and sensible approach; we commend them for it.

"Taking photos of people when they're unwell is unhelpful."

A spice user is much more likely to experience adverse effects than someone who smokes natural cannabis.

Such effects may include psychotic symptoms such as paranoia and hallucinations - and the drug has also been linked to kidney failures and heart attacks.

Other dangerous side effects of taking spice include vomiting and panic attacks.

"Nobody decides to become dependent on spice, things happen over time which can lead people down that road," Addaction's spokesman added.

"People need help not judgement."

Spice was classed as a legal high until May 2016 and was then reclassified under the Psychoactive Substance Act.