How £2 monkey dust drug has ravaged UK city with naked ‘zombies’ roaming streets, homes torched and a baby left to die

TWO wild-eyed Zombie-like men sway on a bridge above a dual carriageway as morning commuters gasp in horror. Naked men are seen running through the street and shopping centres, screaming in terror as they are 'chased by the Devil' after taking a mind-warping hit of monkey dust. These horrifying sights have become all too common in Stoke-on-Trent, which has been gripped for more than five years by a dust epidemic.

The synthetic drug — also known as cannibal or zombie dust – makes users wildly hallucinate with terrifying visions of snakes on their bodies or being hunted down by demons. In the first part of The Sun's new series, Hooked, which reveals the drug epidemics in towns up and down the nation, we visited the embattled city, where deaths caused by monkey dust have chillingly included that of a newborn baby.

Many 'dustheads', as they are known, want to jump off buildings and some have been known to eat glass. The drug was available for just £2 but drug workers have said increasing demand has pushed the price up to £10 for three hits in this part of the Potteries. One grandfather, who has tried to help homeless users, told The Sun: 'It's the worst drug. It's the devil's work – it's much worse than heroin. It messes with people's mind.

"I have spoken to lots of dustheads and one said he saw the devil coming out of the roof and a church. "They get so paranoid – one man tried to kick down the police station door as he tried to get away from 'terrorists' and 'bombs' going off. "I saw woman curl up in a ball and stay by a doorway for 14 hours. It's terrifying.". The 62-year-old volunteer, who wanted to remain anonymous, added: "Monkey dust needs taking off the street. It should be classed as the most dangerous drug.".

Dust users are seen begging in the street, shuffling by in the main shopping areas or hanging about in the city's park openly taking the drug. Waiting for a fare nearby, taxi driver Imran Ahmed, 48, said: "You see them all the time like zombies. They can look quite scary. "I saw two of them on a bridge over one of the main roads the other day. They want to jump to fly.". He added: "It's sad for the city that we've become the monkey dust capital of the country. It doesn't look good for the place.

"The dustheads get some money together and then catch a cab to go and buy their drugs. But they steal off each other as well. I have spoken to lots of dustheads and one said he saw the devil coming out of the roof and a church. "I refuse to take them now in my cab because of hygiene. They have a very particular smell and it's not nice.". According to those who have encountered addicts, monkey dust can make users' sweat smell like prawns.

Walking through the Hanley area of Stoke, dust user Suzanne, 34, told The Sun: "It makes you feel sexy but you see really weird ****. "I saw an angel falling from the sky, chasing me, followed by thunderbolts.". A homeless worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's evil stuff. "You see dustheads scratching at their neck and bodies thinking snakes or spiders are on them.". “MONKEY dust” is a colloquial term in the UK for synthetic cathinones, particularly MDPHP (3’,4’-Methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone).

These substances are synthetic stimulants chemically related to cathinone, a compound found in the khat plant. They are often found in crystal or powder form and can be ingested by snorting, swallowing, or injecting. The composition of monkey dust can vary, but it typically includes synthetic cathinones like MDPHP. These compounds are designed to mimic the effects of natural stimulants but often have unpredictable and potent effects.

As of now, specific statistics on the number of monkey dust users in the UK are not readily available. However, regions like Stoke-on-Trent have reported significant issues with its use, indicating localised prevalence. In the UK, synthetic cathinones, including those referred to as monkey dust, are classified as Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This classification makes it illegal to possess, distribute, or manufacture these substances.

Health effects of monkey dust use can be severe and include: cardiovascular issues, neurological effects, behavioural changes, and the potential of addiction. Monkey dust's chemical name is Methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV. The off-white powder can be snorted, injected, swallowed or smoked. It has been linked to face-eating attacks in the US. Monkey dust arrived in Stoke in the mid-2000s and soon became popular with homeless people unable to afford more expensive hits.

The yellow-grey powder is a class B drug - and possession could land you a five-year prison sentence. Monkey dust really took off in the Staffordshire city, famous for its pottery industry, in 2018. I saw one man run down the street naked screaming his head off... It's like something from an apocalypse horror film. One paramedic wrote on Facebook at the time: "Drove through Stoke two nights ago, it's like a scene from Night Of The Living Dead.