Nightclubbers shared syringes full of vodka that gave them a quick buzz while partying in Inverness.
The shock revelation emerged at an Inverness council meeting yesterday. (THURS)
A community safety expert stunned councillors when he told them that 40 needles were found during one short spell outside nightspots in Baron Taylor’s Street. Empty needles were found by street cleaners. Others appeared to have been hidden under fire hydrant covers.
Inverness Community Safety Partnership chairman Alistair McDonald silenced his audience, revealing how during a freshers’ week in 2014 youngsters had “followed a trend of injecting vodka and sharing a needle for an instant hit”.
No arrests were made in connection with the activity. Police confirmed yesterday that no details were reported to them and that injecting vodka is not a criminal offence.
The sharing of syringes was reported by a witness offering information to the partnership.
The agency has subsequently engaged with students and Highland drugs agencies in an attempt to avert any repeat of the activity and to inform relevant organisations.
Speaking afterwards, Mr McDonald told the Press and Journal that information gleaned from addiction agencies showed there had been a high incidence of people “pre-loading” that freshers’ week, with youngsters meeting up before going to nightclubs and using the syringes for a quick high.
“We raised the issue immediately within the partnership,” he said. “We contacted the college and have since had a police presence during freshers’ week.
“I think it was an internet trend at the time. I’d been aware of such free-loading elsewhere. In my job, nothing seems to shock me now.”
Asked why he had publicised the issue at this stage, he said he wanted to inform councillors that such activities are not confined to drug addicts.
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: “We would not recommend injecting vodka. It can be very painful and has associated risks such as a painful burning sensation. You may take on more alcohol than anticipated.”
She added that anyone finding discarded syringes should contact the council’s community services team who will ensure safe disposal. The UHI declined to comment.