THE Spice Girls today spoke out against drugs as police warned young fans of a dangerous new type of Ecstasy pill named after the singing sensations.

The warning to the chart-topping band's young fans came as the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Drive Out Drugs campaign gathered momentum.

Scores of people have telephoned our hotline to report people dealing in drugs like the Spice Girls tablets, which get their nickname from an "S" logo.

Ginger, Scary, Posh, Sporty and Baby Spice simply said fans should "get high on life, not drugs."

A spokesman for the Spice Girls' record label Virgin said the stars were horrified when they heard about the ploy to lure young people into drug abuse. He added: "They can't emphasise enough that they in no way support the use of drugs."

Police in Lancashire, who have fully supported the Evening Telegraph's Drive Out Drugs campaign, said: "We are concerned about anything that might encourage young people to take drugs.

"Anyone who might be tempted should be aware of the potential consequences."

Police said the tablets were "very popular" with youngsters but had ingredients that made them especially dangerous.

The pills contain Ephedrine, Diazepam, and Ketamine - which, when first taken, produce a euphoric effect.

This is then followed by a "knock-out effect" of memory loss and possible unconsciousness.

Police in Scotland, where the drugs were seized, have alerted medical experts to the new drug and also warned other police forces.

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