People on the Isle of Wight are being warned not to risk their lives by using ‘legal high’ drugs during the Christmas and New Year party season.
The Island’s professional agencies, which provide drug treatment and education, are concerned by a recent rise in people reporting a range of ill health effects after taking substances known as ‘legal highs’.
Isle of Wight Service Manager for the independent charity ‘Cranstoun Drug Services’ Chris Mills said: “There are two main types of legal high, which can be chemical or herbal. The effects of taking them are unpredictable for each person. Some people wrongly assume these drugs are harmless just because it’s lawful to buy them. Government advice says the chemicals in legal highs have, in many cases, never before been used as drugs. They have had no tests performed on them to show they are safe.
Anyone who thinks they could be affected by the issues surrounding ‘legal high’ drugs is encouraged to seek professional advice and help:
Frank: (National helpline
www.talktofrank.com) 0800 77 66 00
NHS Direct (
www.nhs.uk) 0845 46 47
Cranstoun Drug Services: 01983 812755
IDAS (Island Drug and Alcohol Service): 01983 526654
Get Sorted (Substance misuse service for under 19s): 01983 617660
Police: 101 or 0845 045 45 45.
Crimestoppers charity (to give information anonymously) 0800 555 111.
Always phone 999 in the event of a life threatening emergency.