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Understanding the world of "legal highs" is crucial, especially when continuously evolving drugs often outpace legal restrictions and pose significant health risks. Legal highs, also referred to as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), encompass a range of drugs designed to mimic traditional drugs like cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy but exist in a legal grey area, at least initially. The term 'legal' can be misleading just because something is marketed as legal doesn't make it safe. The dangers these substances pose are real and ever-present.

What Are Legal Highs?

Legal highs or NPS come in various forms, including powders, pills, and herbal mixes. These substances often contain chemical compounds that produce effects similar to illegal recreational drugs. Originally, these substances were created to circumvent drug laws, hence the term "legal." Over time, governments have begun to crack down on these drugs, modifying laws to cover new variants under drug prohibiting regulations.

Why Do People Use Legal Highs?

There are several reasons why someone might be drawn to using legal highs:

• Curiosity: Like many aspects of adolescence, curiosity can drive the desire to experiment with different sensations, experiences, and states of consciousness.
• Peer Pressure: In groups where drug use is normalised, there can be a significant pressure to participate to fit in or feel accepted.
• Accessibility: Sometimes, legal highs are more accessible than illegal drugs. They might be easier to buy online or in shops that exploit legal loopholes.
• Misconception of Safety: Because they're often sold with the label "legal," there's a widespread belief that they must be safe or at least safer than illegal drugs.
• Escapism: Young people facing personal difficulties might turn to substance use as a form of escape from problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression.

It's important to be aware that legal highs can be as dangerous as, if not more dangerous than, many illegal drugs. They can produce unpredictable, harmful effects, and because they are less studied, the risks are not as well known, adding to their danger.

Real-Life Impact on a Young Person

Consider Jamie a typical 16-year-old with usual ups and downs. At a friend's party, he was introduced to a substance everyone referred to as "completely safe" and legal. The drug in question was a type of synthetic cannabinoid, which mimics the effects of cannabis. However, shortly after trying it, Jamie experienced severe anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations, effects he had never anticipated.

His initial reaction led to a trip to the emergency room where doctors had to work fast to manage these acute symptoms. But the impact of this one experience went beyond that night. Jamie struggled with lingering anxiety and mistrust towards drug use, which affected his social interactions and school performance. Like many teenagers, the allure of something deemed 'safe' because it was 'legal' led him into a risky situation that he was not equipped to handle.

Practical Strategies for Dealing with Legal Highs

Prevention and education are critical when dealing with the issue of legal highs. Here are some practical strategies:

• Education on Effects and Risks: Learning about the potential dangers and long-term consequences of using NPS can deter usage. Schools, communities, and parents should provide factual information discussing both the legal implications and health risks.
• Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where young people feel safe discussing their experiences and curiosities about drugs without fear of judgement or punishment.
• Developing Interests and Hobbies: Engaging in sports, arts, or other fulfilling activities can decrease the likelihood of drug use by providing wholesome and satisfying alternatives that stimulate and relax the mind.
• Seek Professional Help: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, it's crucial to seek help from professionals such as counsellors, doctors, or helplines dedicated to drug-related issues.
• Policy Advocacy: Support laws and policies that protect against the dangers of legal highs and ensure robust testing and regulation of new substances on the market.

Understanding why individuals may turn to legal highs and recognising the potential harms can better equip our communities to address this challenge effectively. It's about staying informed, vigilant, and proactive in safeguarding not only ourselves but also our friends and loved ones.

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.