Zero-tolerance for legal highs at an Essex college

An Essex college has enacted a zero-tolerance for legal high drugs following one student’s severe reaction.

Anthony McGarel is the chief executive and deputy principle of South Essex College. He heard screams coming from the seventh floor of the college’s campus in Southend, where a 16-year-old student had taken a legal high and was experiencing severe reactions to the drug. The teenager was taken to hospital and released the next day, having suffered minor injuries to his hand and head. It is thought that the student took the legal high known as salvia, which can be smoked in a similar way to cannabis and can have dangerous side effects.

Having witnessed the student’s reaction, Mr McGarel has begun a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of legal highs. Speaking about the incident, he said: ”You can’t describe the way he was; it was horrible to see him completely out of control. When I was with him he changed quite quickly. For a while he was lying on the floor and screaming. Then he sat up and he looked dreamy and as if he was stoned. He couldn’t say what day it was.”

Training will be given to college staff by Southend Council’s Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team. The staff will be taught how to spot the signs that a student has taken a legal high and how to act when such a case has been identified.