Growing concern over the increased use of legal highs in
Newcastle has sparked local authorities into action.
Over the past few years there have been an alarming increase
in crime related to legal highs. Only last year the attack of disabled
pensioner Alan
Barnes created outrage in the community, after he was mugged in a bid to
steal cash for legal highs. The highs are most worryingly used by youngsters
who can buy them easily over the internet and local bars, takeaways and head
shops.
Death Toll Increase
A spokesperson for Local Superintendent Lisa Barrett said:
“The increase in use of legal highs in the area is very worrying. Not only are
they harmful, but can replicate the addictiveness of illegal highs, such as
heroin.” Only last year Think-Tank the Centre for Social Justice released
reports that stated nationwide the death toll from legal highs had risen to 97
from 12 in only three years. This alarming figure has called authorities up and
down the country to clamp down on the trading of legal highs. Barrett stated
that often the highs are labelled as ‘room odourises’ and 'not for human consumption',
undermining trading standard laws.
However a local legal high store owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, claimed that the highs are safe when moderated: “It’s the newsagents that are selling under the counter to anyone that looks 18, that are causing the problem.”
The police spokesperson highlighted that police are aiming to crack down on the source of the highs, rather than those that take them: “The users need to be aware of the harm they are putting themselves in, however it is the traders that are selling dangerous products under the guise of something else that are putting the public in danger.”
Yet most licensed stores in Newcastle run on a membership only, preventing youngsters from buying highs. Popular store in Heaton, Hemp Nation, say that they only sell to their registered members and sell products well within the law.
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| 'Go Caine': labelled not for human consumption to pass trading standards, easily bought. |
However a local legal high store owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, claimed that the highs are safe when moderated: “It’s the newsagents that are selling under the counter to anyone that looks 18, that are causing the problem.”
The police spokesperson highlighted that police are aiming to crack down on the source of the highs, rather than those that take them: “The users need to be aware of the harm they are putting themselves in, however it is the traders that are selling dangerous products under the guise of something else that are putting the public in danger.”
Yet most licensed stores in Newcastle run on a membership only, preventing youngsters from buying highs. Popular store in Heaton, Hemp Nation, say that they only sell to their registered members and sell products well within the law.
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| Disclaimer preventing those underage purchasing highs. |
Concern for Students
19 year old Newcastle University student, Ellie Davison said
that she thinks legal highs will never be completely gone: “It is impossible,
there will always be new ones on the market, just like illegal drugs.” She also
commented that the drugs were extremely potent, causing hallucinogenic effects.
Legal highs have become particularly popular with students and young people, often being sold in the form of poppers behind bars. A spokesperson for Northumbria University said that a new scheme will “educate and promote caution to students who are considering using legal highs.” Newcastle University will also be taking part.
Legal highs have become particularly popular with students and young people, often being sold in the form of poppers behind bars. A spokesperson for Northumbria University said that a new scheme will “educate and promote caution to students who are considering using legal highs.” Newcastle University will also be taking part.
Hopefully new trading standard laws and the right education
to our young people, will prevent the death toll rising in the future.
By Abbie Dowse
