New rehab clinic targets addicts of 'club drugs'

A new NHS clinic dedicated to treating those addicted to so-called club drugs has opened in London.

The centre has specialist treatments and is staffed by doctors, nurses, psychologists and drug workers to help people who use substances such as ketamine, ecstasy and "legal highs".

Existing clinics cater for those addicted to alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine so "club drug users" do not visit them.

Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, an addiction psychiatrist who set up the centre in Chelsea and Westminster hospital, said those who take club drugs tend to be younger, employed and sometimes affluent.

He said the need became apparent during a pilot phase of the clinic. Set up with funding from Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, it will also become a research centre on new, emerging drugs and the problems associated with excessive use.

Dr Bowden-Jones said the health risks of club drugs have been underestimated.

The first clinic dealing with those addicted to club drugs was the Party Drugs Clinic launched by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in 2009.