Miners working high on synthetic grass
THE mining industry has been rocked by revelations that workers are buying synthetic cannabis over the counter.
The substance can impair performance but is undetectable through on-site drug tests.
Known as Kronic, the newly available fake cannabis from New Zealand can be purchased legally despite health officials confirming that it mimics the affects of regular cannabis.
As well as producing a "high", the West Australian Drug and Alcohol Authority said it could cause fatigue, headaches, disorientation or hallucinations in some people, which could be devastating at work.
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto both expressed concern at the revelation, saying workplace safety was crucial for the industry.
The West Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy called for an investigation.
"It's vital that authorities examine the legality of this substance," said the chamber's chief executive, Reg Howard-Smith.
"If the reportedly adverse effects on the user are correct, the industry is concerned about its over-the-counter availability."
Health officials said Kronic could alter "mood and perception" and should be avoided. But Gary Kirby from the West Australian Drug and Alcohol Authority said it was too early to say how widespread the practice was in the wider community and whether it should be banned.
He acknowledged it was already illegal in some countries, including parts of the US and Europe, but said more information was needed.
A shop owner in the North West mining town of Karratha told The Australian she had been selling Kronic since February, after dozens of people, including mine workers, asked her to stock it.
"Everyone's using it," she said. "It's right across the board, men and women. They'd been ordering it off the internet but asked if I could get it for them."
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she sold it for $70 for 3g.
"It gives me some cashflow and people want it," she said.
Retrieved from here
THE mining industry has been rocked by revelations that workers are buying synthetic cannabis over the counter.
The substance can impair performance but is undetectable through on-site drug tests.
Known as Kronic, the newly available fake cannabis from New Zealand can be purchased legally despite health officials confirming that it mimics the affects of regular cannabis.
As well as producing a "high", the West Australian Drug and Alcohol Authority said it could cause fatigue, headaches, disorientation or hallucinations in some people, which could be devastating at work.
BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto both expressed concern at the revelation, saying workplace safety was crucial for the industry.
The West Australian Chamber of Minerals and Energy called for an investigation.
"It's vital that authorities examine the legality of this substance," said the chamber's chief executive, Reg Howard-Smith.
"If the reportedly adverse effects on the user are correct, the industry is concerned about its over-the-counter availability."
Health officials said Kronic could alter "mood and perception" and should be avoided. But Gary Kirby from the West Australian Drug and Alcohol Authority said it was too early to say how widespread the practice was in the wider community and whether it should be banned.
He acknowledged it was already illegal in some countries, including parts of the US and Europe, but said more information was needed.
A shop owner in the North West mining town of Karratha told The Australian she had been selling Kronic since February, after dozens of people, including mine workers, asked her to stock it.
"Everyone's using it," she said. "It's right across the board, men and women. They'd been ordering it off the internet but asked if I could get it for them."
The woman, who asked not to be named, said she sold it for $70 for 3g.
"It gives me some cashflow and people want it," she said.
Retrieved from here
