皇冠体育app

This weekend, minister for crime prevention James Brokenshire sent a letter to the organisers of the Glastonbury and Latitude聽festivals, as well as other popular music festivals, asking them to be aware of the dangers of drugs that are known as 鈥榣egal鈥� or 鈥榟erbal鈥� highs.

Users wrongly think legal highs are safe

One such drug, mephedrone, was banned recently, but others are still sold. Last year during festival season, police reported a rise in the sale and consumption of such drugs.

Sellers of these substances hope to exploit users who think that 鈥榣egal鈥� means 鈥榮afe鈥�. But Mr Brokenshire emphasised that these are not harmless substances, and nor are they necessarily legal.

鈥楧uring the festival season we know that people may be tempted to try potentially dangerous new drugs,鈥� he said, 鈥榩articularly when they are advertised as 鈥渓egal鈥� or 鈥渉erbal鈥�.鈥�

Some so-called 鈥榣egal鈥� highs are not legal

He pointed out that drugs like 鈥楴RG1鈥�, or naphyrone, are often labled as 鈥榩lant food鈥� or 鈥榖ath salt鈥� but have a chemical structure closely related to cathinone derivatives such as mephedrone, and may share the same risks. 皇冠体育appy may also actually contain illegal drugs such as mephedrone or methylone.

Anyone caught in possession of such a 鈥榣egal high鈥� could be charged with a crime.

鈥楾hat is why we are asking festival organisers and police to work with us to send out the message that these substances may not be safe, and could contain illegal drugs,鈥� Mr Brokenshire said.

鈥榃e are going to change our drug laws so we can respond quickly to emerging substances by introducing a temporary ban while we seek full scientific advice.鈥�

Going to a festival? Find out more

Find out more about 鈥榣egal鈥� highs on the .