Former drug addict in Leeds backs 'legal highs' ban
A former West Yorkshire drug addict who lost his job and home through taking so called 'legal highs' says he's pleased the law's finally changing to reflect how dangerous they are.
A former West Yorkshire drug addict who lost his job and home through taking so called 'legal highs' says he's pleased the law is finally changing to reflect how dangerous they are.
"It had gone from that one gram in the pub to buying an ounce at a time," says Andrew, which isn't his real name.
"It brought me to my knees. All social circles had broken down. My family life had broken down. I lost my job, became homeless. I tried a suicide attempt with it.
"My back was against the wall. I couldn't see a way out. The psychosis had got that bad. I thought everyone was trying to kill me. I had this raging voice in my head that said 'M-Cat, M-Cat, M-Cat' 24 hours a day. And one night I tried to jump off a block of flats."
Andrew, who's 33, started taking Class A drugs as a teenager but says the substances he bought legally did him even more harm than those which are illegal.
He's spoken to Radio Aire as the Psychoactive Substances Act comes into force today, making all substances 'capable of producing a psychoactive effect in a person who consumes them' illegal. n this Act “psychoactive substance” means any substance which—
The Act excludes alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and medical products.
After spending years recovering from his addiction and getting his life back on the right track, Andrew says this is a big step in the right direction: "I was given yet another chance and I'd just had enough.
"I knew that I was either going to stop using or die using and that's where that drug took me. No other drug took me there.
"If I'd put that drug inside me, I'd want to finish that drug not knowing whether I was going to die or stay alive. And that's the kind of thing it twists your mind to.
"For me to be able to buy something legally to take me to the places that I've been... it's just hell on earth for someone."
The city's drug and alcohol service Forward Leeds is launching a campaign called 'Illegal Highs - Not for Human Consumption' to raise awareness of the change in the laws and the potentially deadly effects of the substances.
Lisa Parker, Executive Director of Forward Leeds says: “The belief held by many that because these drugs are ‘legal’ that they must be ‘safe’ has proved disastrous.
"There have been many reports of people losing consciousness, having psychotic episodes and even dying from these ever-changing substances which are produced by an unregulated industry.
“The price and availability (both online and in shops) have meant that just about anyone (over the age of 18) can buy these drugs - often just as strong as or stronger than the classified drugs they mimic.”
The campaign will see targeted advertising across the city, particularly in hot spots for young adults, such as near colleges and universities, leisure centres and in Vue cinemas.
A new website – www.illegalhighs.com - will give information, advice and safety tips, alongside a Facebook page – Not For Human Consumption – which will give extra advice and information.
Forward Leeds are also arranging to offer one to one support and advice via the site’s chat function.
Detective Chief Inspector Warren Stevenson of West Yorkshire Police said: "We are utilising a number of methods, along with our partners, to educate both users and suppliers in an effort to avoid retailers falling foul of the new law and at the same time making West Yorkshire a safer place to be.
"The change in legislation provides police with new powers to tackle this unregulated industry."
The Psychoactive Substances Bill will make it an offence to produce, supply or offer to supply any substance likely to be used for its psychoactive effects, regardless of its potential for harm. Laughing gas (Nitrogen oxide) is also a substance included in the new legislation.