Are they dangerous?
Here at Addiction Helper we receive many calls from parents concerned over their teenager’s recreational use of so call legal drugs. The common misconception is that because a drug is legal, it can’t be harmful or addictive. Addiction Helper realises and understands that legal highs can carry the same dangerous consequences and side effects as more well-known and publicised illegal drugs, such a cocaine and ecstasy. With many of the legal highs on todays market, replicating their effects, little is known about the dangers involved or the long term damage on the users’ health. In addition do your children really know what is in the substance that they are taking and its ability to lead to addiction?
Properties and effects
Common street and club drugs used by teenagers are gas, glue, over the counter non prescription drugs, Mephedrone, also known as MCAT, Meow and Bubble, (although this has now been classified as a class B drug). Methoxetamine, hailed as the latest designer club drug, also known as Mexxy and Roflcoptr, This too has recently been given a temporary class banning its import and sale for 12 months). All these drugs have addictive properties and carry adverse side effects that can cause long term damage to the users mental and physical health, ultimately their use can result in psychosis or liver damage.
Little is known about all the long term effects that can result from using so called legal high substances, but the evidence so far suggests that they are all damaging. Many drugs can be cut with other more harmful drugs or substances, to produce a more potent effect, making them more addictive, so that the user returns to the dealer for more, or to increase the sellers profit margins.
How parents of teenagers can help
Here at Addiction Helper feel that it is important for parents to keep themselves up to date on the latest legal and illegal drugs on the market, and to ensure that their children are well educated and well informed. As any parent knows, it is impossible to keep a close eye on your child’s conduct 24/7, especially when they reach teenage years, but you can ensure that when they are offered a drug, they are at least in possession of the full facts of the possible risks and side effects that’s could result from taking it.