A DEADLY new mind-blowing drug more powerful than LSD is being sold to schoolchildren as young as 14 for just £8.50 in High Street shops, The People can reveal.
Salvia Divinorum - used by WITCH DOCTORS in magic rituals - can cause terrifying hallucinations, paranoia, a loss of co-ordination and make users believe they can FLY.
Even though it is legal, experts fear the herb could drive young and mentally-unstable people crazy - or even KILL them.
And today The People is urging Home Secretary David Blunkett to ban it before there is a tragedy.
In a shocking investigation which will horrify parents, we sent a 14-year-old schoolgirl into new-age shop Zen at Moseley, Birmingham.
Despite knowing her age - and the brightly-coloured cardboard package clearly stating "Not suitable for anyone under 18" - the assistant happily sold her Salvia for £8.50.
He shockingly even gave her advice on how to take it and the best way to get 'high'.
Salvia, also known as Magic Mexican Mint or sometimes just SD, is smoked in a joint, pipe or "bong" - large water-cooled pipes used by crack users.
Just a few puffs can cause mind-blowing effects lasting up to three hours.
Expert Dr Tim Kendall, from Sheffield University, told us: "Taking Salvia is playing with fire."
Last night shop boss Lizzie Goodman said the assistant had been sacked. She added:"I am shocked. It is against company policy to sell to under-18s."
http://www.people.co.uk/homepage/news/page.cfm?objectid=13504969&method=thepeople_full&siteid=79490
Sunday People, UK - Oct 10/2003
Salvia Divinorum - used by WITCH DOCTORS in magic rituals - can cause terrifying hallucinations, paranoia, a loss of co-ordination and make users believe they can FLY.
Even though it is legal, experts fear the herb could drive young and mentally-unstable people crazy - or even KILL them.
And today The People is urging Home Secretary David Blunkett to ban it before there is a tragedy.
In a shocking investigation which will horrify parents, we sent a 14-year-old schoolgirl into new-age shop Zen at Moseley, Birmingham.
Despite knowing her age - and the brightly-coloured cardboard package clearly stating "Not suitable for anyone under 18" - the assistant happily sold her Salvia for £8.50.
He shockingly even gave her advice on how to take it and the best way to get 'high'.
Salvia, also known as Magic Mexican Mint or sometimes just SD, is smoked in a joint, pipe or "bong" - large water-cooled pipes used by crack users.
Just a few puffs can cause mind-blowing effects lasting up to three hours.
Expert Dr Tim Kendall, from Sheffield University, told us: "Taking Salvia is playing with fire."
Last night shop boss Lizzie Goodman said the assistant had been sacked. She added:"I am shocked. It is against company policy to sell to under-18s."
http://www.people.co.uk/homepage/news/page.cfm?objectid=13504969&method=thepeople_full&siteid=79490
Sunday People, UK - Oct 10/2003
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