Legal does not mean safe

Legal does not mean safe - warning Councillor Janet Emsley

Residents are being warned about so-called ‘legal highs’ following increasing reports of use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across the borough.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for Culture Health and Wellbeing, said: “People need to be aware of the significant dangers involved in using these substances. The law is changing and eventually many of them may be illegal. Meanwhile, we need people to understand that using these products is highly dangerous to the individual and those around them, whether a substance is legal or illegal. The term ‘legal high’ can give the impression that it is safe because the drugs are available and are not illegal.”

Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership is co-ordinating a boroughwide response to the problem, sharing intelligence about incidents of NPS usage. Public Protection Officers will carry out enforcement action where retailers are identified selling these products in contravention of Trading Standards Legislation. NPS training for frontline staff in the borough begins this month and a communications drive is being developed to warn people about the risks of NPS and how to get help. Drug and alcohol treatment services in the borough are also available to offer support and advice to those that require specialist services.

Councillor Emsley added: “An astonishing and growing variety of ‘legal highs’ are on sale in the UK. These are often cheaper, more potent and longer lasting than their illegal counterparts.

"Our approach is centred on delivering the message that just because a drug is currently legal, that does not mean that it is safe. In fact, because so little information is provided about the contents of these drugs, it may be that they actually contain substances that are illegal. It may also be some time before the impact of any legislation can be felt so we are addressing the problem now.”

For help or support about substance misuse visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/addiction or call in to the Renaissance Community Drug and Alcohol Outreach Team, 72 Drake St, Rochdale OL16 1PA. You can also phone them on 01706 924883.