IT was a depressingly familiar sight. A woman hunched over in a semicatatonic state on one of the city's main thoroughfares at 11am on a weekday morning.
She wasn't alone. In doorways and on benches, several more people were laid out appearing to be under the influence, rendered virtually unconscious.
Following the Manchester Evening News' grim discoveries last month after two days of observing in the city centre, drug users, people sleeping rough and those tasked with helping them, all told us that Spice the drug that once caused carnage on our streets - was rearing its ugly head, again.
The city was dubbed 'Spicechester' such was the prevalence of people being left in 'zombie-like' states as a result of the synthetic cannabinoid and former 'legal high, back in 2017.
Things got so bad there were 58 drug-related call-outs to the city centre on one weekend alone.
Things have improved markedly since then. Emerging from the crisis, a drug monitoring, testing and alert system has won plaudits and been replicated up and down the country.
Mike Linnell is at the heart of that data network.
He runs Greater Manchester's Local Drug Information System where over 1,000 professionals from a range of organisations - such as police, schools, hospitals, substance misuse services, and youth services submit and receive reports of incidents relating to drugs and emerging trends.
If needed, warnings can then be issued to the public.
He says the drug has 'crept back'.
But he does not expect a return to the dark days of seven years ago.
"Obviously there were major issues a few years ago, that kind of dissipated quite a lot," he said.
"It was big in Manchester during the pandemic, but it has crept back. We've had reports going back six months or so saying that you know, 'it's kind of back.
"We haven't had the kind of incidents that were occurring in the past so far.
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin July 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Bethell relishing Old Trafford T20 decider
JACOB Bethell was pleased to get down to business for England after admitting he struggled to shut out the external noise during a low-key international debut.
Is this turning point that boss so badly needs?
Victory buys Ten Hag breathing space, but now United must capitalise on it
Food for thought for the Insta diners
Why we need to disconnect from our phones for the best eating out experience
'It would normally be packed but now! it's a GHOST TOWN'
Traders warn they won't survive the loss of spaces after water company closed car park
Man used trafficked woman to make more than £100k
A MAN profited from the exploitation of a vulnerable woman to the tune of more than £100,000.
'You imagine there would be a lot of barking but it was silent?
The devastating Manchester Dogs Home fire ten years on
Couple's home hit by car for THIRD time
Pair forced to evacuate property
Shopkeeper faces £20k costs to undo changes he made
Business owner was refused permission for work already done
Disorder'more anti-government than racism'
Barrister makes claim as thug who attacked bus during trouble outside hotel housing asylum seekers jailed
'There's no characters left'
Traders and customers' sadness as shutters come down on market for final time