Hundreds treated for ‘legal high’ use

Figures obtained by the Tele show there were 328 cases of people being treated for the effects of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in the region’s A&E departments between November 2016 and October 2017.

The figures are about the same as for the previous 12 months, and higher than the year before that. Treatment for people taking the drugs peaked between November 2012 and October 2013, when 352 people were seen at hospitals in Tayside.

Since then, the number of patients has varied between 288 and 332 a year.

NHS Tayside said that none of the recorded admissions had been fatal.

Patient numbers have remained at a similar level, despite trading standards officers and police targeting shops selling the “legal highs” in May 2016 when new legislation came into force.

This has raised fears that the sale of the drugs has moved underground.

Councillor Ken Lynn, the city’s health spokesman and a member of the NHS Tayside board, said: “I’m obviously disappointed by these figures.

“The intention of the 2016 legislation was to reduce the harm caused by new psychoactive substances.

“It appears that, as with other drugs, driving the supply of them underground is not having the desired effect and that is a matter of regret.”

Dr Emma Fletcher, NHS Tayside’s consultant in public health medicine, said: “NPS can cause significant harm to people who take them and, as a result, they were made illegal in May 2016.

“To date, more than 600 different types of NPS have been identified in Europe.

“People who take NPS can never be certain of the actual content of the products, or the effect they might cause, so the advice is clearly not to use these substances. NPS are also more harmful when taken with other drugs, including other NPS, or alcohol.

“Most importantly, however, if anyone has taken NPS and feels unwell, they should seek medical advice immediately.”

Drugs helpline Know the Score provides confidential drugs information and advice and is accessible either online at knowthescore.info or on 0800 587 5879.

HUNDREDS of people have been hospitalised in Tayside after taking so-called “legal highs” — despite their sale being banned almost two years ago.

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Ken Lynn