About Legal Highs

There are many ‘legal highs’ some of which include: Alcohol, Caffeine, and Nicotine. Other legal highs may be derived from intoxicating plant species and termed herbal Ecstasy and include substances like ma huang, yohimbine, and salvia. Legal highs can also include the manufacture of chemicals that mimic the psychological and physical effects of Class A drugs, but are structurally different enough to avoid being classified as illegal substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act. They are normally illegal substances under current medicines legislation which prohibits selling, supplying or advertising of drugs for human consumption. Suppliers consequently market them labelled as plant food, bath crystals, research chemicals, or pond cleaner. Recently Mephedrone and NRG1 (Naphyrone) have become Class B drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Effects Of Legal Highs

Desired Effects:

Varied.

Side-Effects:

Unknown.

Short / Long-Term Risks

Very little controlled research is available for these substances and therefore side effects and possible dangers are not yet fully known. Even if a substance is sold as ‘legal’ or ‘herbal’ does not mean that it is safe for consumption. Deaths have been reported as a result of using Ivory Wave.

Risks may include confusion, drowsiness, Paranoia, manic behaviour, panic, heart attack, Coma, seizures and death.

How do Legal Highs work?

Legal highs may be categorised as Stimulants, Psychoactives or Depressants.

Legal status

As with illicit substances, legal highs may contain other substances which could be more dangerous in combination or could be illegal to posses. Although some of these substances may be legal, or controlled under the Medicines Act, many ‘legal highs’ can look very similar to illicit drugs, such as Cocaine, if the police find a ‘legal high’ in your possession they are entitled to confiscate it for testing, detain you or even arrest you.
The government has become extremely concerned about the increasing popularity of legal high drugs and has therefore introduced new powers to ban new legal high substances temporarily for 12 months while the advisory council meets to discuss a permanent ban. These changes are expected to be in place by the end of the year. Under the proposals, police will be able to confiscate suspected substances and the UK Border Agency will seize shipments entering the country.

How Are Legal Highs Taken?

Some may be smoked, taken as Tablets or taken orally.

Where do they come from?

Often bought from Internet vendors.

Helping services

Most areas of the UK have ‘street agencies’ or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. If use of this substance becomes a problem you can seek help, advice and counselling from a service in your area. GPs can make referrals to specialist drug services. For a description of what the different drug services do, choose helping services from here or the main menu.

Parents & other relatives

Many drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents, family members and partners of people using drugs. They may provide relative support groups or advice, guidance and counselling on a one to one basis.

You can view a list of National Drug Agencies.

If you would like to talk about legal highs problems then please call the DAN 24/7 Helpline on:

0808 808 2234