DAAT WARNING
Legal Highs
You have probably heard this term mentioned in the media more often in recent times.
Legal highs are substances that mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as ecstasy and speed, but are not currently controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In most cases, the chemicals in legal highs have never before been used as drugs, so they haven’t been tested to see whether they are safe - and they don’t have a long history of use, so the short and longer term effects are unknown. These are often entirely legal products which could be sold as plant food, pond food or bath salts. However, when consumed by people they can simulate the effects of taking illicit drugs.
The latest trend is towards poly-substance products, which are being packaged and marketed to a young crowd. Most packets contain no information about side-effects or the risks of mixing these substances with other things like alcohol or medications.
They could potentially cause a range of psychiatric disturbances ranging from anxiety and panic attacks to substance-induced psychosis. This would be particularly frightening if the person did not realise that they had taken a psychoactive substance.
The Isle of Wight Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) is alerting our residents and visitors to the risks in dabbling with these substances. Although commonly called ‘legal highs’, these drugs have not been endorsed by the government nor the NHS. Although many vendors claim that many legal highs are herbal or herbal extracts, they are not necessarily safe, with side effects similar to synthetic drugs. There’s no such thing as a safe dose, but the more you take the more likely it is that you’ll suffer the negative effects. It’s especially risky to take these substances at the same time as drinking alcohol. All the fatalities so far have been linked with alcohol consumption and there is a real risk of coma when mixing these chemicals and alcohol.
The DAAT warns that just because some people on internet forums or in the shops may claim to know everything about them it doesn’t make them safe.
The key message for anyone considering using these chemicals is, do not drink alcohol.
We also want to warn people that everyone reacts differently to these chemicals and that the make-up of legal highs changes all the time, so you can never be certain what you are taking and what the effects might be. Just because you took the same named substance last week, it doesn’t mean you will get the same effect this week or the ingredients are the same; or that if your mate took it, you will have the same reaction as them.
Another point to remember is that just because the packaging looks good, the name sounds cool or the person you are buying it from seems to be offering you some advice, does not make these chemicals safe, they are toxic.
The Isle of Wight DAAT advises that if, despite this warning, you do take these chemicals, keep in mind the following tips to minimise the risks:
  • Don’t use them when you're alone - always have someone with you that isn’t using them
  • Give them a sample of what you are taking to hold onto, so if you do lapse into a coma, then they can give this to the ambulance crew so they can find out what you have taken.
  • Tell your friends what you are taking
  • Don’t drink alcohol or take any other drugs at the same time; if you take these
  • Under no circumstances consider taking these if you are, or think you maybe pregnant.
  • Don’t take these chemicals if you are depressed, stressed out, upset or angry as they can accentuate your moods - so these chemicals can send you up, but they can also send you down.
  • If you are worried or nervous about taking them, then DON’T
  • You don’t have to take these chemicals to have a good time
  • If you are concerned that you are taking them too much, then get some advice or help. You can call the Get Sorted Team (substance misuse service for young people) on 01983 617660 for advice.
Other useful contacts:
Adult drug services:
                           Cranstoun Drug Service 01983812755

                           Island Drug and Alcohol Service (IDAS) 01983 526654
Get Sorted (Substance Misuse Service for Young People up to and including 18 year olds) 01983 617660
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Directory of Drug Misuse Services can be accessed online: www.hantsdaatdirectory.org.uk

FRANk helpline        0800 77 66 00           [email protected]



Page last updated on: 19/08/2010