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Children to be taught about dangers of legal highs

By Scott Hart
Dec 30, 2009 - 2:38:19 PM
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As part of a drive to educate and inform young people about legal highs, Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and NHS Brighton and Hove have agreed a series of measures.

A new programme to tackle the growth in legal highs such as mephedrone or ‘meow’ has been agreed. The programme will see schoolchildren and parents warned of the dangers.
 
The police will include legal highs in their PHSE (Personal Health Social and Health Education) lessons in schools using a revised curriculum covering legal highs such as mephedrone that will also be employed when educating young people about drugs and alcohol.
 
Regular briefings on legal highs will be distributed to parents backed up by an information campaign targetting hostels and other services for over 16 year olds such as colleges and Connexions workers.
 
Young people found to be in possession of a white powder are likely to be arrested on suspicion that it is a controlled substance and, should that powder is subsequently found to contain illicit substances, face prosecution.
 
The Safe in the City Partnership board, which is made up of the council, health and police, has endorsed the recommendations.
 
Councillor Dee Simson, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:
“The dangers of legal highs are unknown and it’s important that we inform young people that they could be putting their health and wellbeing at serious risk.

“It’s vital that school children, parents and other professionals working with young people have a good knowledge of the issues around using legal highs.

“If you’re worried about Meow, other drugs or alcohol, or if you’re concerned about someone else who’s using drugs or alcohol, contact Ru-ok? - the substance misuse service for young people in Brighton & Hove."

Ru-ok can be contacted on: 01273 293966

Or visit:
http://www.areyouok.org.uk

For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
 


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