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So, you've probably heard about "legal highs" officially known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These substances are not your typical mainstream drugs, but they're not exactly harmless herbal teas either. Designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, and cocaine, legal highs were once readily available and completely legal. But here's where it gets tricky: just because something is legal doesn't mean it's safe.

The Lowdown on Legal Highs

Initially, legal highs were substances that could be sold legally as long as they were not marketed for human consumption. They often came in attractive packaging with names that made them sound fun and harmless. But here's the catch the chemicals in these substances are changed frequently by manufacturers to stay ahead of the law, making them unpredictable and potentially very dangerous.

In May 2016, the UK government cracked down on these substances, passing the Psychoactive Substances Act which makes it illegal to produce, supply, or import NPS for human consumption. However, despite their name and legal status changes, these substances are still around, and the risks they pose are as real as ever.

The Real-Life Impact on Youngsters

Imagine you're at a party. The mood is upbeat, everyone is having fun, and then someone offers you something. It's a legal high. You think, "It's legal, so it must be okay," right? Wrong.

Let's talk about Sean, a fictional yet inspired by real-life example. Sean was just like any other 16-year-old with aspirations, friends, and a fondness for music. One night at a friend's party, he tried a legal high that was supposed to give him a "natural" boost. Instead, it sent his heart racing, and he felt dizzy. Scared and confused, he ended up in the hospital. His short experiment led to severe panic attacks, which he battled for months after.

Sean's story isn't an isolated incident. Many young people experience severe side effects from legal highs, including:

• Psychological effects: Confusion, paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations.
• Physical effects: Nausea, seizures, heart issues, and even coma.
• Addiction potential: Many legal highs are addictive, leading to a cycle of use and abuse.

The allure of legal highs often stems from curiosity, peer pressure, or the mistaken belief that legal means safe. However, the consequences can alter lives dramatically and not just health-wise. Education, relationships, and future opportunities can all take a hit.

Strategies to Tackle the Temptation of Legal Highs

Dealing with the temptation or effects of legal highs isn't easy, but it's possible. Here are some practical strategies:

1. Education is your arm or: Understand what legal highs are and the effects they can have. Knowing the facts can demystify these substances and reduce their allure.
2. Speak up and speak out: If you're feeling pressured, talk about it. Whether it's with friends, family, or a counsellor, opening up about your experiences or fears can alleviate the burden and lead to better decisions.
3. Avoid risky situations: Parties or gatherings where you know these substances will be present? It might be wise to skip them or plan an alternative with friends who are also not interested in NPS.
4. Focus on your future: Engage in activities that enhance your life and well-being sports, arts, volunteering. Investing your time in these can distract from short-term temptations and build long-term health and happiness.
5. Seek professional help if needed: If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to any substance, reaching out for professional guidance is crucial. There's no shame in seeking help it's actually a brave and necessary step toward recovery.

Life Beyond the High

While the thrill of experimenting can be enticing, the risks associated with legal highs far outweigh the momentary euphoria. The narrative that just because a substance is legal, it is safe, is dangerously misleading. As you navigate through the often-complicated teenage years, remember that your safety and health are paramount.

Real adventures come from creating memorable experiences naturally, not artificially. Building good relationships, achieving personal goals, and taking care of your mental and physical health are the highs that no substance can match. So, make choices that contribute to your long-term happiness and success. Remember, it's your life, and you have the power to shape it positively.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.