'Legal highs' are causing concern

BALLYMENA shopkeepers were given a potentially life-saving briefing on the dangers of volatile substance abuse and misuse of legal highs at an information seminar in the Braid Centre last week.

The event, "Volatile Substance Abuse and Legal Highs - What You Need to Know", was organised by Ballymena Borough Council in association with Northern Group Systems, in partnership with Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It is illegal for butane or part-butane lighters or refills to be sold to anyone under 18 years of age and,at the event, Council officers announced that it will continue its programme of undertaking test-purchasing exercises to ensure that local retailers are complying with this legislation.

There have been 94 deaths resulting from sniffing volatile substances in Northern Ireland since 1971, with the latest figures showing that three such deaths occurred in 2007.

Legal highs are also an emerging issue in the general locality and have been connected with a number of local deaths involving young people.

Ballymena Council recognises that the drugs are so new that very little research has been conducted in terms of usage and long term effects. The term "legal high" is in fact misleading as most of the drugs are illegal to sell, supply or advertise for human consumption.

Mr David Thornton, Training Officer with The Forum for Action on Substance Abuse said: "Volatile Substance Abuse is, for the most part, a hidden problem because it involves household products that are easily accessible. Young people often carry out this abuse while alone and in secret.

"Arguably this problem is less high profile than other forms of substance misuse such as alcohol or drugs but it is a real issue. A survey undertaken showed that 8% of post-primary schoolchildren in Northern Ireland have misused solvents on at least one occasion.

"It is important that retailers are aware of the facts involving volatile substance abuse. Staff must be informed that these goods are to be kept under constant supervision and out of the reach of children who will sometimes steal to satisfy their craving."

Mr Thorton also commented: "We also wanted to take the opportunity at this event to address the issues surrounding legal highs as we are aware that some retailers in other parts of Northern Ireland have been involved in selling these substances.

"Many young adults and schoolchildren in all areas of Northern Ireland are taking these drugs."

Shauna Lagan, Environmental Health Officer with Ballymena Borough Council stated: "The Council teamed up with FASA and PSNI to highlight to retailers their legal obligations in restricting the sale of certain substances. The awareness and responsible action of retailers is essential to help reduce the problem."

Constable Joanne Campbell of PSNI commented: "The use of volatile substances to obtain a ‘high' is extremely dangerous and causes serious harm to the individual, families and the wider community. The PSNI is keen to prevent solvent based products being readily available to adolescents in the Ballymena area."

And she warned: "The so called legal highs have become a major concern recently, even though some types have been banned. New types of substances are constantly being developed to get around the law.

"We will treat suspicious substances as illegal controlled drugs until forensic examination is concluded, and may arrest persons in possession of these chemicals"

The Council and the PSNI would like to ask retailers to remain vigilant and watch out for young people gathering around premises where volatile substances are on display.

Retailers must also be wary of frequent purchases of solvent-based products by the same individuals.

Both organisations will take action against any retailer breaking the law and selling any substance, that they believe the underage purchaser, will abuse.

The Council and the PSNI would also like retailers to remain wary of unwittingly stocking and supplying substances which may fall into the category of "legal high".

‘Legal highs' are causing concern

BALLYMENA shopkeepers were given a potentially life-saving briefing on the dangers of volatile substance abuse and misuse of legal highs at an information seminar in the Braid Centre last week.

The event, "Volatile Substance Abuse and Legal Highs - What You Need to Know", was organised by Ballymena Borough Council in association with Northern Group Systems, in partnership with Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It is illegal for butane or part-butane lighters or refills to be sold to anyone under 18 years of age and,at the event, Council officers announced that it will continue its programme of undertaking test-purchasing exercises to ensure that local retailers are complying with this legislation.

There have been 94 deaths resulting from sniffing volatile substances in Northern Ireland since 1971, with the latest figures showing that three such deaths occurred in 2007.

Legal highs are also an emerging issue in the general locality and have been connected with a number of local deaths involving young people.

Ballymena Council recognises that the drugs are so new that very little research has been conducted in terms of usage and long term effects. The term "legal high" is in fact misleading as most of the drugs are illegal to sell, supply or advertise for human consumption.

Mr David Thornton, Training Officer with The Forum for Action on Substance Abuse said: "Volatile Substance Abuse is, for the most part, a hidden problem because it involves household products that are easily accessible. Young people often carry out this abuse while alone and in secret.

"Arguably this problem is less high profile than other forms of substance misuse such as alcohol or drugs but it is a real issue. A survey undertaken showed that 8% of post-primary schoolchildren in Northern Ireland have misused solvents on at least one occasion.

"It is important that retailers are aware of the facts involving volatile substance abuse. Staff must be informed that these goods are to be kept under constant supervision and out of the reach of children who will sometimes steal to satisfy their craving."

Mr Thorton also commented: "We also wanted to take the opportunity at this event to address the issues surrounding legal highs as we are aware that some retailers in other parts of Northern Ireland have been involved in selling these substances.

"Many young adults and schoolchildren in all areas of Northern Ireland are taking these drugs."

Shauna Lagan, Environmental Health Officer with Ballymena Borough Council stated: "The Council teamed up with FASA and PSNI to highlight to retailers their legal obligations in restricting the sale of certain substances. The awareness and responsible action of retailers is essential to help reduce the problem."

Constable Joanne Campbell of PSNI commented: "The use of volatile substances to obtain a ‘high' is extremely dangerous and causes serious harm to the individual, families and the wider community. The PSNI is keen to prevent solvent based products being readily available to adolescents in the Ballymena area."

And she warned: "The so called legal highs have become a major concern recently, even though some types have been banned. New types of substances are constantly being developed to get around the law.

"We will treat suspicious substances as illegal controlled drugs until forensic examination is concluded, and may arrest persons in possession of these chemicals"

The Council and the PSNI would like to ask retailers to remain vigilant and watch out for young people gathering around premises where volatile substances are on display.

Retailers must also be wary of frequent purchases of solvent-based products by the same individuals.

Both organisations will take action against any retailer breaking the law and selling any substance, that they believe the underage purchaser, will abuse.

The Council and the PSNI would also like retailers to remain wary of unwittingly stocking and supplying substances which may fall into the category of "legal high".