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Young people's drug use - advice for parents

highs. exposed website​

Visit the high.exposed website for facts and information on the effects that so called 'legal highs' can have. 

highs.exposed website

How to protect your child from the risk of drugs

There are many things that you can do to help protect your child from the risks of using drugs and alcohol. ​​

You can:

  • ​make sure they know that you care about their happiness
  • make time to spend with them and talk about their problems / worries
  • show an interest in their plans to know where they are
  • be open about what you know on the risks of alcohol and drugs
  • agree on rules and the consequences for breaking them
  • support them in their interests, eg drawing, music, cooking, outdoor activities etc
  • support them with their school life; make time for their homework, encourage them to take part in school activities and talk to their teachers about any problems
  • help your child get involved in community life, eg local and sports events

Find out more about how to help your child make good decisions and avoiding problems with drugs by reading the document below.  

You can also find out more about parenting support services from The Bridge below. 

The Bridge: parenting support services

Help for young people

If you have a child or young person who's experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, they can contact a young person's substance misuse worker for free confidential support by phon​e on +44 (0) 1534 445008, or by email. 

New psychoactive substances, so called 'legal highs' and the law

New psychoactive substances or so called 'legal highs', often contain illegal substances. They are designed to mimic the effects of mainstream drugs.

Laws put in place quickly in Jersey have ensured that some of these drugs that ​are legal in the UK are illegal in Jersey and buying them from UK websites and importing them into Jersey is a criminal offence.

They can't be legally sold, supplied or advertised for human consumption under the law. To get around this, sellers often refer to them as research chemicals, plant food, or bath crystals.

You can be prosecuted if you're found in possession of so called 'legal highs', even if you're not sure what they contain.

Police are actively seeking intelligence on these substances and the dealing of them.​


Risks of so called 'legal highs'

There are lots of risks to consider because:

  • they are completely new and untested; the short or long-term effects of their use aren't known
  • users can never be sure of what they're taking, as new compounds and variations are constantly being made
  • you can't be sure that they don't contain an illegal ingredient
  • being legal doesn't make a drug safe
  • they can have serious effects on mental and emotional health
  • mixing with other drugs, including alcohol, can increase a risk of an overdose

Side effects

Serious side effects can include:

  • extreme depression
  • panic attacks
  • paranoia
  • self-harm
  • suicide
  • seizures
  • comas
  • death

What to do if someone overdoses on ​so called 'legal highs'

If someone has overdosed or​ had an adverse reaction, call an ambulance immediately and put them in the ​recovery​ position.

Tell the paramedics and health care team what has been taken so they have a better chance of providing effective treatment.​

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