Study hails success of ‘legal high’ crackdown in bid to prevent harm

Curbs by council saw sharp drop in number of hospital admissions

There has been a “remarkable” drop in the number of people seeking hospital treatment after taking so-called legal highs following temporary restrictions, new research suggests.

Scientists at Edinburgh University and NHS Lothian assessed how public health crackdowns on now banned novel psychoactive substances (NPS), affected hospital admissions in the 33-month study.

The UK Government brought in two temporary class drug-orders (TCDOs) in 2015, banning the import and supply of common types for 12 months.

That October trading standards curbs were brought in by City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with the police that saw the council seize NPS supplies from eight “head shops”.

In the six months after TCDOs were introduced, researchers saw a rapid fall in people treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for NPS complications including psychosis, seizures and death.

The lead researcher was Michael Eddleston, professor of clinical toxicology at the BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science at Edinburgh University and consultant NHS toxicologist.

He said: “Our findings suggest that TCDOs, combined with local trading standards, were very successful in reducing NPS harm in Edinburgh.

“Widespread adoption of trading standards enforcement, together with focused legislation, seemed to turn the tide against these highly-damaging drugs.

“These restrictions may have offered health benefits and saved the NHS substantial funds each year.”

Admissions relating to the common drug type ethylphenidate almost completely disappeared and there was an 80% drop in hospital admissions for all forms of NPS following Trading Standards actions later in 2015 that removed NPS from local shops in Edinburgh.

Researchers said the results were surprising as it was presumed NPS sales would continue on the web.

The experts said their findings do not prove the restrictions caused the change but they are the strongest evidence so far that such restraints prevent harm.

The report said: “In conclusion, TCDOs and trading standards activity were associated with a remarkable and sustained reduction in the number of presentations and admissions for NPS toxicity in Edinburgh.”

These restrictions may have offered health benefits and saved the NHS substantial funds each year. PROFESSOR MICHAEL EDDLESTON