The use of synthetic drugs has "exploded" across Ireland according to experts, as families hide behind closed doors trying to cope with the violent side of users as young as 13 accessing lethal drugs at the click of a button.
Michael Cornacchia (16), whose death was linked to the U4 synthetic drug last month, and 18-year-old Alex Ryan, who died in January 2016 after taking the N-Bomb drug, are the high-profile cases that have drawn attention to the dangers of synthetic drugs.
But not even tragedies such as these have stemmed the tide on the surge of use among Ireland's young, and families are ill-equipped to deal with a narcotic blight changing so rapidly that not even the justice system can keep up.
Source: Laura Lynott, Herald.ie, 20/02/17