How do we keep children safe from legal highs?
In the news this morning, another senior government drugs advisor has resigned, and it’s thought that could delay a ban on the "legal high" mephedrone , or "meow meow". In the last two weeks, mephedrone... one of the most popular stimulants in Britain’s clubs - has hit the headlines and has been linked to the deaths of three young people in Yorkshire and Scunthorpe. The government’s Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs met last week to consider whether mephedrone should be banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and was due to submit its report to the Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, today.
Maryon Stewart's daughter Hester died last April after taking the legal high GBL mixed with alcohol. GBL was eventually banned in December. Maryon’s now lobbying all the political parties to have all legal highs, including mephedrone, assessed and if they’re found to be dangerous, banned. Mike Linnell is from the drugs organisation Lifeline, which has over 30 years experience running drug and alcohol services. He’s given evidence to the government’s Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs. They join Jane to discuss the issues.
|
