Warning from Police and Flintshire Trading Standards about the dangers of ‘Legal Highs’

North Wales Police and Flintshire County Council Trading Standards service have issued a warning about the dangers of ‘legal highs’. 

The warning comes as part of an on-going investigation into the safety of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)

Police officers and Flintshire’s Trading Standards officers took samples of NPS away for testing from a shop in Holywell after a young girl and her boyfriend became violently ill, following consumption of one of these packets which is believed to have been purchased from the shop.  

Restrictions

The shop owner was given ‘firm advice’ about the restrictions relating to the products.

Police have been closely monitoring the issue and following this complaint the enforcement authorities took immediate action.

PC Kerry Smith Williams said:  

“This sends a clear message to these types of establishments that we will not tolerate the issues they bring to our communities.

“The recreational use of NPS represents a danger to public health and can also render people vulnerable to becoming victims of crime.  North Wales Police strongly advise the public that these should not be experimented with.”

Legal Highs are often sold as ‘not for human consumption’ and advertised in some cases as plant food or research chemical, designed to flout drug rules by possessing chemical compositions that differ from those already prohibited but are able to mimic the effects of other drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy. 

Councillor Kevin Jones, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste Management Strategy and Public Protection said:  

“We want the shops to know that we are prepared to take robust enforcement action to ensure they are operating within the law. These are not legal highs, they are lethal highs.” 

North Wales Police say they will continue working with Trading Standards and Flintshire County Council to tackle this issue of legal highs 

If you have any concerns about the sale or use of these products please contact North Wales Police on the 101 general enquiry number or the  Flintshire County Council Trading Standards service on 01352 703181.