The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s Youth Commission is running a ‘Lethal Highs’ campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with taking New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), so young people can make informed and safe choices.

What are lethal highs and what effects can they have?
New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) have similar effects to illegal drugs like cocaine or cannabis. They are also known as club drugs or legal highs.

Just because it’s sold as legal, doesn’t mean it’s safe:
– You could experience nose bleeds, sickness, black outs, short-term memory loss, severe mood swings, anxiety, panic, confusion, paranoia, or seizures to name just a few side effects.
– For some the effects are more serious with their night ending in A&E or in death – last year 67 people died as a result of taking them.
– Ingredients change, so even if you were fine last time, the next time could be a different story.
– Legal highs can contain illegal ingredients.
– Some may now be illegal – more than 500 new drugs have been banned in the last five years.
– Do not drive if you have taken NPS.

Have your say
Please complete the below survey to help the Youth Commission find out more about what people know about New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) or Legal Highs, gain an understanding of how many young people are using them and whether more needs to be done to raise awareness.

Survey

Find out more by visiting Talk to Frank.