'LEGAL HIGH' DRUGS ARE BANNED

A BAN on the drug which caused the tragic deaths of two South Tyneside
men came into force this week.

Benzypiperzine - also known as BZP - is one of a number of "legal
highs" reclassified by the Government.

Earlier this year, the Gazette reported how 20-year-old Ryan Burn, and
Callum Taylor, 24, both died, after taking a combination of BZP and
Ecstasy.

BZP and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) are now Class C drugs, with a
possible two-year sentence for possession, and synthetic cannabis
'Spice' has also been banned and becomes a Class B drug, with a
maximum five-year jail term.

So-called legal highs are typically man-made chemical substances
designed to produce the same effects as banned drugs.

Pete Dixon, senior practitioner at Barnardo's Streetlevel project in
South Shields, which offers help to drug users, said: "The message
that these types of drugs are being controlled because they are
dangerous is an important one, but it does not mean that people will
necessarily stop using them.

"Legal classification is one aspect of drug use, but it needs to be
paralleled with education and support services."

An inquest into the deaths of the two men heard how they died after a
drugs party in South Shields last year.

Recording an open verdict, coroner Terence Carney said both deaths
were "fundamentally brought about by a combination of MDMA (Ecstasy)
and benzylpiperazine".

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the Government wanted to send a clear
message to those thinking of using the drugs.

He said: "We are cracking down on so-called 'legal highs' which are an
emerging threat, particularly to young people.

"That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from
today with ground-breaking legislation which will also ban their
related compounds."

Fifteen anabolic steroids, which are associated with drug abuse in
sport, were also classified at Class C.

Anyone who is having problems with drug or alcohol use should contact
Barnado's Streetlevel Family Services on 455 3027.