What is a legal high?

1. Legal Highs13th November 2009Service ResidentialClare Makin & Mark TennantIn collaboration with Andrew Taylor & Vicky Stewart

2. What is a legal high? So called ‘legal highs’ are substances that are taken to achieve an altered state of mind (a “high”), that are not currently controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and therefore are legal to possess. Some legal highs can have similar effects to stimulant or depressant drugs that are illegal, such as euphoria and reduced inhibitions, and a range of side effects such as paranoia, fits and even a risk of coma or death.

3. Mephedrone

4. Bubble Luv (Mephedrone) What it looks like: a white/off white powder, often advertised as plant food/bath salts. What’s in it: more than likely mephedrone, described as two molecular tweaks away from MDMA and crystal meth and more closely related to cathinonem, the active ingredient in Khat. Also evidence that it may contain, or be mixed with, amphetamine, MDMA, methylone/methedrone. Effects: euphoria, alertness, talkativeness, empathic feelings, anxiety, paranoia. Risks: overstimulation of heart + nervous system causing fits, compulsive re-dosing, severe nosebleeds, strange heartbeats, skin peeling off in mouth, blueness of limbs, lips, face. Continuous use may result in discolouration of hands, heart, chest pains. There has been links to a death in Sweden. Also some reports of no come downs and no side effects. Due to the legalities it is relatively easy to get hold of but little is known of the side effects/circulation or the long term effects.

5. GBL

6. GBL What it looks like: a colourless, odourless liquid. Usually comes in bottles but can also come in capsule form and is sometimes referred to as liquid ecstacy. What’s in it: a chemical known as Gamma-Butyrolactone/Gamma-Hydroxybutrate which is a common industrial solvent used in products such as paint strippers and stain removers. Effects: fast acting, vaguely hypnotic, euphoric effects, accentuated when mixed with alcohol, converts to GHB when entering body(same effects as GBL). Low dose = euphoria and reduced inhibitions. High dose = euphoria, reduced inhibitions and sleepiness/unconsciousness. Risks: increased risk when used with alcohol, overdose, sickness, unconsciousness, coma, death, related to sexual assaults. Body converts it to GHB, known to be used for date rape, which is an illegal class C drug. GBL is soon to be made illegal under the misuse of drugs act by the end of the year. Has been linked to the death of a 21yr old Brighton girl. Again, due to legalities, it is relatively easy to obtain as well as little being known about side effects/circulation and long term effects.

7. Salvia

8. Salvia What it looks like: similar to ‘weed’ – has a bush/herb appearance. Crushed leaves normally green in colour and of different concentrations due to refined extracting. What’s in it: salvia divinorum that comes from leaves picked in Oaxaca, Mexico – a psychoactive herb with similarities to LSD and that can be chewed, smoked or taken as a tincture. Effects: weird thoughts, things seeming unreal, floating/lightheaded feelings, mind racing, experiences of de’ja’vu, low addictive potential and no real hangover/side effects. Also effects can be very brief, although can produce intense and altered states, improve mood/calmness, sensations of motion and revisiting past memories. Not what is known as a ‘party drug’ though. Risks: high doses resulting in terrifying experiences(bad trip!), experience injuries whilst under the influence, psychotic episodes possibly triggered by vulnerability to M.H. issues, throat/lung irritations, headaches, irritability and general increase of risk when used with alcohol.

9. BZP

10. BZP What it looks like: can come in various forms/shapes, different colour pills which have impressions in them similar to ecstacy, can also be white/off white powder, capsule form or green/yellow liquid. What’s in it: a chemical called Benzylpiperazine that is used, originally, in human and vet medicines, more specifically cattle worming. It is part of the piperazine family that go into making, amongst other things, plastics, pesticides and brake fluids. Effects: similar to ecstacy/MDMA, speed like with feelings of arousal, euphoria, increased heart-rate and well being, decreased appetite, sleeplessness, agitation, vomiting, headaches, stomach pains, fits, irregular heart rhythms, diarrhoea, allergic reactions/fever, alertness and nausea. Risks: risk increases if suffering from heart problems/high blood pressure, also if mixed with other substances such as ecstacy/speed/alcohol, also there is risk of psychosis, renal toxicity and seizures. BZP is soon to be made illegal under the misuse of drugs act by the end of the year. Also, as with other substances, due to legalities it is relatively easy to obtain as well as there being little known of side effects or long term effects.

11. Poppers

12. Poppers What it looks like:Nitrites originally came as small glass capsules that were popped open, hence the name. Now, they’re likely to be in small bottles with brand names like Ram, Thrust and Rock Hard. What’s in it: Poppers are small bottles filled with liquid chemicals called alkyl nitrites. Nitrites like amyl nitrite (and butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite) dilate the blood vessels and allow more blood to get to the heart. Effects: One sniff and you can feel the effects. These fade after a couple of minutes. Risks:The effects don't last long and can leave people feeling sick, faint and weak. Especially if taken while dancing, erectile disfunction, headaches, rash round mouth, if taken orally can kill, dangerous for anyone with chest or heart problems, burns They're highly flammable – especially if you dip cigarettes into a bottle of poppers, which is another way of taking the drug. Lighting these cigarettes could take your eyebrows off.

13. Care Planning • Our role is still the same as with illegal substances • Client led care plans with a focus on harm reduction • Regularly reviewed • Address bio-psycho-social need • Make use of all aspects of service

14. Service User Experiences • “Just like cocaine really. Makes me feel confident, chatty, like I have to keep moving” • “I’ve started getting nosebleeds” • “Over the last few months, it’s gone up from £7 a gram to £20 a gram”