Management Information Sheet
Mephedrone and 'Legal Highs'
Further to the information we sent on MI 47/10, we updating you on this issue and how it impacts on your School Drugs Policy, particularly how you manage any incidents involving these substances.
With effect from midnight on 16th April 2010, Mephedrone became an illegal, Class B drug. Therefore, if you have any incidents involving this drug (or what you suspect may be this drug, as only a police analysis could determine what the substance actually is) you should deal with it as you would for any other illegal substance as set out in your policy.
You may also be aware that the media are reporting that a new 'legal high' known as MDAI, which is similar to MDMA (ecstasy), is already available. This is clearly a rapidly developing situation as other 'illegal highs' are also currently available (including NRG-1 whose legal status is currently under review).
We would advise the following actions:
(i) ensure that your policy recognises that 'legal highs' are hazardous substances and should be dealt with like alcohol, tobacco, over the counter medicines, illegal drugs etc.
(ii) ensure that Mephedrone (which is still available, although illegally) and 'legal highs' are dealt with in PSHE/Drugs Education so that pupils are aware of the range of potential risks.
Could we also remind you that these substances and their implications are dealt with in the various INSET courses that we offer, including 'Improving Knowledge and Understanding of Drugs and their Effects' (reference ENDA4K) which is being held on 16th June 2010 and on which places are currently available.
Barry Gibson
Norfolk Children's Services Schools Drugs Adviser
With effect from midnight on 16th April 2010, Mephedrone became an illegal, Class B drug. Therefore, if you have any incidents involving this drug (or what you suspect may be this drug, as only a police analysis could determine what the substance actually is) you should deal with it as you would for any other illegal substance as set out in your policy.
You may also be aware that the media are reporting that a new 'legal high' known as MDAI, which is similar to MDMA (ecstasy), is already available. This is clearly a rapidly developing situation as other 'illegal highs' are also currently available (including NRG-1 whose legal status is currently under review).
We would advise the following actions:
(i) ensure that your policy recognises that 'legal highs' are hazardous substances and should be dealt with like alcohol, tobacco, over the counter medicines, illegal drugs etc.
(ii) ensure that Mephedrone (which is still available, although illegally) and 'legal highs' are dealt with in PSHE/Drugs Education so that pupils are aware of the range of potential risks.
Could we also remind you that these substances and their implications are dealt with in the various INSET courses that we offer, including 'Improving Knowledge and Understanding of Drugs and their Effects' (reference ENDA4K) which is being held on 16th June 2010 and on which places are currently available.
Barry Gibson
Norfolk Children's Services Schools Drugs Adviser