LEGAL HIGHS OR NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES A PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Maryon Stewart

Founder of The Angelus Foundation

Hester Stewart(28 November 1987 -26 April 2009)

What are NPS or “Legal Highs”?

• Substances which mimic the effects of illegal drugs.

• They are not included in any legislation or regulation controlling drugs or medicine

• They are often mixtures of substances

• Their strengths and effects can be unpredictable

• However, they may also contain illegal substances

What are NPS or “Legal Highs”?• Stimulants

– Ching, Charley Sheen, Pink Panther– Euphoria, energy, racing heart elevated temperature

• Psychedelics – MK-2CB, (formerly) AMT, NBOMe– Hallucinations, disorientation, panic

• Synthetic Cannabis– Clockwork Orange, K2, Psyclone – Disassociation, psychotic reaction, arrhythmia

• Sedatives– Blues, Benzos, Laughing Gas– Drowsiness, impact on co-ordination and balance, short-term

memory loss

Why aren’t they all banned?

“……..What just happened?”

Temporary Banning Order

NPS Landscape

Source: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, “New psychoactive substances in Europe. An update from the EU Early Warning System”, Lisbon, 2015.

Focus Groups and Surveys

Films

In-School Research - Angelus film a mechanism for changing and shifting young peoples’ behavior

How do you feel knowing that these substances are marketed as legal highs when they can actually be a mixture of

chemicals and Class B drugs?

Misled

Angry

Think it is fine

Duped

Not bothered

11

Has the film put you off experimenting with 'Legal highs'?

Yes

No

National Poster Campaign

Whynotfindout.org

25 Festivals blackout their website

Over 40 Festivals blackout their website

The Real Deal

• Online challenge - The Real Dealwww.yourvine.com/realdeal

Film: LabRats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXsGr5N1kP8

‘We don’t want to be duped’

Parent’s Films

Website for parents:

www.angelusfoundation.com

To download parents handbook:

http://www.angelusfoundation.com/parents-handbook/

Parent’s Community

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rlehWuzX5bw

New Bill on NPS in the Queens Speech - June 2015

Love, Live, Get Naturally High!

Support Angelus to keep children safeBecome a Friend of Angelus

Make a donation

Give some time and expertise

Help with resources

Undertake a fundraising challenge or host an event

Call us with your ideas, tel.: 020 3700 7185

Thank You!!

Contact details

www.angelusfoundation.org.ukwww.whynotfindout.org

Email: contact @angelusfoundation.org.uk

or maryonstewart@angelusfoundation.org.uk

Tel: 020 3700 7185

Angelus Foundation is a registered charity (number 1139830)