Legally available recreational drugs are being used in isles and are ‘not safe’
Recreational drugs known as “legal highs” are being widely used in Shetland and are anything but safe, the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership warned this week.
The so-called “legal high” Mary Joy Pink (which is also known as K2, Warning, Review and Annihilation) is sold legitimately as an incense or pot pourri, and is known to be widely used in the isles.
Users report the effects range from “nothing much” to “had a horrific time, I will not be trying it again” and some have even had to attend the Gilbert Bain Hospital’s A&E department due to adverse effects.
Karen Smith of the Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership said: “We are trying to make people aware that Mary Joy Pinks exists, and it is being used in Shetland. Although it is not illegal, this by no way means that it is safe.
“There have been no studies into the long term effects of this and other legal highs, so we have no idea what impact they can have on people’s mental and physical health. We are aware that a number of people have suffered health-related side effects in Shetland and want to make the public aware of some of the risks associated with its use.”
Legal highs are often sold as “research chemicals” or “plant food” with dealers trying to get round the law by labelling substances as not for human consumption. Even where their chemical content is clear, the full effect of such drugs is poorly understood, especially their interaction with other drugs or with prescribed medications.
The buyer might assume that as the substance was legal, it was therefore safe, Ms Smith said. However, neither may be true.
“The manufacture and sale of these drugs is not regulated or standardised. Any drug made or sold in this way will not have gone through the testing and investigation pharmaceutical products are subjected to – you cannot be sure of a legal high’s strength or dosage, or even that you’re getting what is offered.
“You may end up swallowing, snorting or smoking a substance without having any way of knowing exactly what it contains, legal or illegal. “
If anyone is concerned about their own or someone else’s use of legal highs and/or any other drug or alcohol, they can contact CADSS on (01595) 695363, or visit their GP.
Jacqui Irvine
I am a parent of a young person, who has witnessed the horrific effects of this legal high. My son was in high dependency & in the Gilbert Bain hospital for three days, after he ‘tried a smoke’ of this toxic stuff at a party. He had a thirty per cent chance to pull through.
Luckily for him he was fit and well and his heart was strong. If it had been the other way around and he had any other health issues, (even asthma) the outcome would have been not good.
Young people are being told from people that are selling this awful substance, that because they are ‘legal’ that they are safe to take. This is what my son had been told! Like any other young person in any social scene, they like to experiment, and as long as they are under this illusion that these legal highs are safe because they are legal, as well as being very cheap. It will eventually end in sorrow.
Please dont let this happen…
After sitting helplessly by my sons hospital bed, wired up to machines, with drips in and oxygen mask on, watching every painful breath he took and fighting to stay alive… Please, after reading this, help to do anything you can to discourage and re-educate our young people in Shetland on the Dangers of this vile drug.
My son was extremely lucky to pull through, so please lets all pull together for our young people of Shetland, and eradicate these legal highs before the outcome will not be so joyful.
Sandy McDonald
Hmm, bleach is legal but most people won’t try drinking it for a high. Teenagers will try most things, it’s almost a defining characteristic. I am sure we have all done things when we were younger that we cringe to think of now!
I am not up to speed on the legal matters here but surely pushing someone to smoke a dangerous substance (legal or not) must have some ramifications for the pusher?