Police boss calls for action against 'legal highs'

In the wake of three local incidents over the weekend where young people were hospitalised after taking so-called 'legal highs', Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg is urging all sections of the community to join forces to counter the danger posed by an increasing trade in the drugs.

The incidents, two in Exeter and one in Torquay, occurred just days after Mr Hogg confronted staff at a ‘head shop’ in Barnstaple where legal highs were on sale.

"I wanted to ask the staff in the shop if they actually knew what it was they were selling and how dangerous it is." he said.

"Not surprisingly I didn’t get a very favourable response, but I am determined that the subject of legal highs needs to be brought to the top of the agenda before someone actually dies after taking one of these chemicals."

Mr Hogg is concerned that another three families in Devon and Cornwall have this weekend experienced near tragedy because a few put making money ahead of keeping others safe.

"I am certain that the use of these chemicals, predominantly by young people, and their sale in so-called 'head shops', poses a significant risk of harm in our society." he said.

"I will be speaking with Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer to ensure we do everything we can to educate our communities so they understand that just because the substance appears to be legal, it does not mean it is safe.

"Parents also need to understand the serious health-risks involved if their children use 'legal highs'.

"I don’t know one parent who has not taught their children about the risks of consuming household products like bleach, so I am asking them now to take the same precautions with 'legal highs'.

"Parents cannot know what effect these chemicals will have when taken because in most cases they have never been used in drugs for human consumption."

Mr Hogg is also urging local authorities and local politicians to join him in highlighting the issue.

"I will also be speaking to our partners in local authorities and to our political representatives to ensure that we are not only doing everything legally possible to stop the peddling of these potentially lethal substances on our high streets but, also, that legislation is considered which makes retailers liable for any harm caused by the products they sell." he said.

"Allowing suppliers to hide behind loose disclaimers should be no defence when a substance is clearly sold for it psychoactive properties."