You can never tell what’s in a drug just by looking at it. It’s always risky – and sometimes this risk can have a very dangerous outcome. That’s why we’ve highlighted this recent Department of Health Warning for you to read. We feel it’s important you know all the facts.

• The Department of Health has recently received information suggesting that batches of herbal and ‘skunk-type’ cannabis have been contaminated with microscopic glass-like beads (or possibly ground glass). Laboratory testing has since confirmed a number of cases from different parts of the country, in which cannabis appears to contain microscopic particles of glass. There is no information on other types of cannabis such as resin.
• Unconfirmed reports suggest that smoking the contaminated cannabis has been linked with complaints of sore mouth, mouth ulcers, chesty persistent coughs, and a tight chest lasting for a few days.
• Government advice already makes clear that cannabis is a substance harmful to health. The risk of glass contamination adds an additional layer of risk of harm. Whilst the exact potential health harm from this contamination is not yet fully determined, inhaling hot glass into the mouth, throat, or into the lungs should clearly be avoided.
• In the current circumstances, the Department of Health has issued a ‘Health Alert’. This advises that smokers of herbal and 'skunk-type' cannabis should exercise caution.
• The following is a summary of the current Department of Health health advice for cannabis users on this issue:
  - Whilst, to date, there are no confirmed serious health effects from this contamination, the Department of Health is not yet able to be sure of the risks to health for cannabis smokers from the contamination.
  - There are anecdotal reports in some cannabis smokers of the development of sore mouth, mouth ulcers, chesty persistent coughs and the experience of a tight chest lasting a few days after smoking cannabis.
  - To avoid the risk of contaminated cannabis completely, cannabis users should stop smoking cannabis.
  - If cannabis smokers feel unable to stop, they should limit their use as much as possible.
  - If a cannabis smoker finds that a supply of cannabis they have access to appears to have caused irritation to their mouth or airways, or if a user suspects their supply is contaminated (e.g. finding grittiness when rubbed between moistened fingers), they should stop using or trading that supply immediately; and they should not use any more cannabis from the same source.
  - Self-help assistance with reducing and quitting cannabis can be located on this website. Click Need Help on main menu.
  - If users have concerns that their health may have been affected by glass-contaminated cannabis, they may wish to discuss any symptoms with their GP (doctor), or if they believe they have an urgent problem and cannot get to their GP, they should go to a hospital accident & emergency department for assessment.
  - As any further information becomes available the Department of Health will update this advice.