What’s the crack with legal highs?

New council leader, Jean Stretton

OLDHAM Council is appealing for residents to take part in a confidential survey on legal highs.

Little is known about how the substances are being used, what legal highs people are taking and their effects.

Council chiefs want to know what makes people start and continue to use the substances, which may also be known as, “bath salts”, “research chemicals”, “plant food”, “herbal highs’” or new psychoactive substances (NPS). They are also sometimes referred to as lethal highs.

Some mimic the psychoactive effects of illegal drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, and amphetamines.

Councillor Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council and cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are hoping residents will take part in this confidential survey. By completing the questionnaire you will help provide accurate information needed to better understand the use and experience of taking legal highs by young people and adults in the borough.

To take part visit www.oldham.gov.uk/legalhighsconsultation before March 11.