'Legal' highs

‘Legal’ highs (or novel psychoactive substances – NPS) are created by slightly tweaking the molecular structure of existing illegal drugs, like ecstasy. Because these are chemically brand new substances, many of them have remained legal by default, although the government has now proposed a ban on their supply.

‘Legal’ highs are sold under a range of names and brands, typically via the internet or in specialist shops called head shops. They can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs and sometimes more so, with some ‘legal’ highs up to 10,000 times stronger than traditional drugs.

CRI is committed to working with NPS users and to educating the wider community about the dangers of these substances.

Legal highs fall into three categories:

• Stimulants
• Downers
• Psychedelics/hallucinogens

The guides on the right provide information about legal highs, their use, effects and risks and their legal status.