Q: What are legal highs?
"Legal highs" are psychoactive chemicals that aren't licensed for legal use or covered by the 1971 Misuse Of Drugs Act.
Moreover, because sellers often market them disingenuously — calling them "plant fertiliser", for example, or "bath salts" — legal highs can avoid being regulated by the 1968 Medicines Act.
Many legal highs purport to offer the same effects as illegal drugs. Salvia, for example, is a dried plant leaf that is typically referred to as "legal ecstasy".
One of the more popular legal highs in the UK at the moment is mephedrone, a stimulant producing psychoactive effects that are reportedly similar to cocaine and ecstasy.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has made mephedrone a top priority after a number of young people who took the substance subsequently died, although it has not been proven that mephedrone was the cause. The council was expected to report to government by the end of March and the government will then review its legal status.
Q: Why do young people take legal highs?
It's true that many young people seek excitement and thrills. Legal highs can offer this to users without the risk of prosecution that comes with illicit drugs. In fact, a quick look at an online drug forum revealed users saying how they planned to stock up on mephedrone in anticipation of any forthcoming legislation.
In some cases, legal highs can be cheaper than illicit drugs and, because of their legal status, can often incorrectly be considered as less dangerous to a user's health. Also, they can be readily available over the internet and very easy to get hold of.
Q: What are the dangers of legal highs?
Putting chemicals in your body — and unregulated chemicals at that— will always pose risks.
Many legal highs are manufactured in unsafe conditions, and sometimes they are so new that we have no knowledge of their long-term effects on the human body.
Users of legal highs such as mephedrone have reported side-effects such as paranoia, stomach cramps and heart palpitations. These are the types of symptoms we often see in clients who use stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine.
Q: What should you do if you suspect a young person is taking a legal high?
It is always best to seek professional advice if you suspect a young person — maybe your own child or someone in your care —is experimenting with psychoactive drugs, whether these drugs are legal or not.
Many young people will have already gained their own impressions of drugs and legal highs before you begin to talk to them.
Because of this, it is always the best course of action to be as well informed as you possibly can be about the subject, so we would suggest arming yourself with as much accurate information as you can find. But be aware that some information can exaggerate claims.
If you haven't discussed the issue of drugs or legal highs with a child or young person before, don't worry that you're putting ideas in their head.
It is far better to give them straightforward, truthful information about drugs than allow them to be misinformed. Also, remaining calm when dealing with the subject is key. Anger and anxiety on either side can stop you from communicating clearly, and it's only through open discussion that you'll be able to help a child or young person in your care.
Organisations such as Addaction will give you free, confidential advice on how to deal with any concerns or suspicions you may have, and we will also be able to share our expertise and experience with you.
Gareth Balmer is manager of Addaction's treatment centre in Dundee
MORE INFORMATION
- Addaction's services are located throughout England and Scotland.
- You can find contact details and opening times on its website, where you can also download a booklet called Know What You're Talking About - A Family Guide to Drugs and Alcohol. This may help you broach the subject of drugs with a young person. www.addaction.org.uk
- The government's Talk To Frank website has been updated to include information about legal highs. http://www.talktofrank.com/article.aspx?id=3607
