Knowsley Council joins local police in raising legal high awareness

Knowsley Council is working in partnership with other organisations, including Merseyside Police, to raise awareness about the dangers of legal highs.

The council and its partners have decided to take this step following the increasing number of deaths throughout the UK that have been attributed to the taking of legal high substances. Of particular concern is the drug nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which is easy to obtain and can cause headaches, nausea, seizures, and other serious side effects. A number of the small silver canisters in which nitrous oxide is supplied have been found around Knowsley. Another drug that has been used locally is Vertex, a substance perceived as an alternative to cannabis, which is smoked rather than inhaled. Users of Vertex have ended up being hospitalised.

During a recent council meeting members passed a notice of motion to crackdown on the dangerous substances. Councillor Andy Moorhead, Knowsley Council leader, lent his support to the government’s announcement of legislation against legal highs and also to a nationwide campaign to highlight the dangers of using them.

Mr Moorhead said: “New psychoactive substances are extremely dangerous because they are easily accessible, are changed constantly to avoid legislative control and they do not hold the same perceived threat to health as illegal drugs. Many young people are unaware of the dangers they pose, which is why we are raising awareness of this issue to ensure that our children and young people are protected.”