LISTEN: MEP calls for Europe-wide crack down on legal highs

A MEP has called on the EU to crack down on legal highs being imported and marketed throughout Europe.

Published 8th Feb 2016

A MEP has called on the EU to crack down on legal highs being imported and marketed throughout Europe.

MEP Ian Duncan has asked the European Commission to conduct a study to determine the extent of the problem.

It is believed that the majority of legal highs, or New Psychoactive Substances, are produced in China, before being imported to countries such as Germany. They then make their way to the UK - mostly through online sales.

MEP Ian Duncan has also asked if more cooperation with China is needed - to tackle the public health issue.

In 2014, 114 Scots died after taking legal highs - but it's feared the numbers have risen significantly.

Our reporter Hope Webb spoke to MEP Ian Duncan about the issue.

Listen to that interview here: