A POWERFUL psychoactive drug which leaves users in a “zombie-like” state is ruining lives, a doctor has warned.

Dr Tim Worthley, who works with the homeless, said the highly addictive drug spice, which was made illegal in 2016, is causing psychosis and seizures among Brighton’s rough sleepers.

Spice was a “legal high” until it was banned.

Dr Worthley, who treats patients at his Morley Street clinic in Brighton, said: “When it was taken out of the shops, we saw some initial improvement, but things seem to be deteriorating again. It continues to be a significant problem in the community and the effects are more power and detrimental than cannabis use.”

Spice is smokable plant material which is coated with other chemicals.

It has powerful psychoactive effects and can be obtained relatively cheaply, making it popular with homeless people.

Dr Worthley said: “It is a problem and many of our patients see it as more dangerous to their mental health than heroin and cocaine.”

Jim Deans, a campaigner against homelessness, claims spice is killing first-time users and causing others to pass out.

Mr Deans, who runs front line services for the city’s homeless, said the drug turns people into “zombies” and is cheaper than a four pack of beer. He said: “Spice is the root of all evil and the biggest scourge in Brighton.

“It’s 100 times more powerful than cannabis and deals are done openly in the street.”

Mr Deans said every drug dealer sells spice as it can be bought easily online.

He claims the herbal-looking drug is more popular than heroin as it can be bought for as little as £5.

Mr Deans said: “We had a guy turn up at our street kitchen at the Clock Tower having just smoked a joint of spice. He dropped his trousers with hundreds of people walking past. He didn’t know what planet he was on.

“We found another guy in the streets, face down and choking on his own vomit.

“A paramedic who was checking the guy’s pulse thought his machine was broken because the guy’s heart was beating so fast.”

He said two Brighton men have died in the last three years after smoking the drug.

In both cases, the users thought they were smoking cannabis.

Dr Worthley and Mr Deans believe the Government should now take a different approach to tackle the problem.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “The Government’s outdated approach to drugs is putting people’s lives at risk.

“By treating drug users as criminals instead of people in need of support and healthcare, ministers are allowing criminal networks to profit from people’s suffering.

“We need a new evidence-based approach based on regulation and a public health programme designed to help people to get the treatment they need.”