Concerns as deaths from legal highs hit a five-year peak
THE number of deaths involving legal highs are at their highest level in five years in Wales, according to new figures.
There were eight deaths registered in 2015 in Wales where the cause of death was drug-related and a legal high, otherwise known as a new psychoactive substance, was mentioned on the death certificate.
This was a third higherigher than the six deathshs recorded in 2014, and d up from one in 2011.
The list of new psychoactive substances potentially included in the figures includes mephedrone, synthetic cannabinoids, such as Spice, Khat,t, and 2-DPMP, known as Ivory Wave. Welsh drug charities fear the situation could get even worse, as new substances are regularly introduced. Clive Wolfendale, chief executive of CAIS – a charity which tackles substance misu misuse and addiction in Wales – said: “T “The use of new p psychoactive substances (legal highs) is growing in popularity. “These drugs a are often cheaper a and stronger than tra traditional alternatives and their use seems unaffected, so far, by the legislation introduced in 2016.
“This phenomenon is creating new challenges for CAIS and other specialists. It’s sometimes hard to know what you’re dealing with.
“I believe we are still in the early stages of experiencing what will be a long-term and significant public health issue.”
Public Health Wales claimed there was a lack of understanding about the strength of legal highs, which can often prove more dangerous than their illegal counterparts.
A spokesman said: “NPS, or new psychoactive substances, are a growing issue.
“We have seen a substantial escalation in use since around 2009-10, particularly in Wales with synthetic cannabinoid use and stimulant use. So, we believe that represents a substantial and growing public health harm.”
New psychoactive substances – often called legal highs – contain one or more chemical substances which produce similar effects to illegal drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.
They can carry significant health risks due to their untested nature, and some have been linked to poisoning, emergency hospital admissions and, in some cases, deaths.
They are often sold in the form of other products, such as salts or incense.
Legal highs are defined as anything that has a “direct effect on mental processes”, but the new law does not cover nicotine, alcohol or caffeine.