POLICE WARN "DON'T BE TEMPTED BY 'LEGAL HIGHS'"
A STARK warning to young people tempted to try the "legal highs" of Bubbles was given at this month's meeting of Forfar Community Council.
Ally Smith, Community Liaison Officer with Tayside Police, told the meeting that, as a result of enquiries, three individuals have now appeared at court in Angus as a result of being charged with reckless conduct for being concerned in the supply of Bubbles.
He said that, in the last few years, there has been an emergence of UK internet sites trading in substances known as "legal highs".
He said: "Mephedrone (Bubbles) is one of these substances and is not controlled under the misuse of drugs act.
"However, it has almost identical properties to MDMA (Ecstasy).
"Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the pharmacology and toxicology of mephedrone due to no clinical studies having been carried out to date.
"This also means that there is a lack of understanding of short or long term effects after the human consumption of this substance, but we do know the skin can change colour."
He stressed the importance of reiterating that, just because the substance is legal, it does not mean it is safe, which seemed to be the impression young people have.
He warned: "These substances are dangerous and should not be consumed."
The meeting heard there were "very real concerns" among multi-agencies regarding the use of Bubbles in Angus - a problem which was highlighted last week in our sister newspaper "The Brechin Advertiser."
Caroline, Lady Southesk, a local youth work in the cathedral city, warned the spread of Bubbles was such that it was approaching "critical mass".
A member of the Brechin Youth Project, she has been watching in horror as more and more Brechin youngsters - some younger than 15 - have become addicted to Mephedrone
She said: "It really has taken us by storm in the most horrible way. It's the speed at which it has taken off which is most worrying. There are some who have been sensible and stayed away, but we are seeing a significant number of kids who appear to be taking Bubbles."
Lady Southesk has urged parents to be on the lookout for the drug's side effects and to speak to the children if they believe there is a problem.
She said: "The physical changes in the kids who start to take it is unbelievably marked. There's huge weight loss, blue lips, grey skin and spots, and that all happens in a very short space of time."
She also warned of mood swings among those who have been taking the drugs and felt it was only a matter of time before there are more deaths unless something is done to stop the drug's spread.
She added: "I cannot believe personally that there won't be more deaths because nobody knows what all the side-effects are."
Constable Smith told Forfar Community Council the Police were active in dealing with the issue and were preparing to speak to every first year class at Forfar Academy.
There are a number of helpful websites which cover "legal highs" and general drugs advice.
They are www.talktofrank.com; www.knowthescore.info and www.cairscotland.org.uk
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Weather for Kirriemuir
Thursday 09 February 2012
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