Hundreds of people have already completed the Tayside survey on ‘legal highs’ but there is still time to take part.
The anonymous survey is being conducted by NHS Tayside on behalf of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships (ADPs) in Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross to improve understanding of ‘legal high’ use.
More than 500 people have taken part in the online questionnaire, which has been designed to learn more about people’s experiences and views about new psychoactive substances (NPS), often referred to as ‘legal highs.’
The survey, which closes to entries on Tuesday, aims to identify issues, concerns and needs of those who either take the substances themselves or are affected by others’ use.
Results from the survey will also help to make improvements to the assistance and support offered to people affected by the use of ‘legal highs’.
Dr Emma Fletcher, speciality registrar in public health medicine, said, “We have been encouraged by the number of people who have already taken part in the survey but we would like to see even more people take part to help improve our understanding of ‘legal high’ use across Tayside.
“The survey is important to gain information on the use of ‘legal highs’ in Tayside and what effects these substances may have on people and their friends and family.
“We would like to hear from you, whether you have taken them in the past, take them now, have never taken them of know someone who does. The survey is completely anonymous and confidential and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.”
The survey can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/legalhighs-tayside
In Scotland in 2012 there were 47 drug deaths where new psychoactive (NPS) or ‘legal highs’ were found to be present. In 32 of these deaths NPS was a potential contributor to death. In most cases NPS was found in conjunction with other substances but in five cases NPS was the only substance implicated in the death.
Year on year the number of NPS being produced is increasing and in 2013 over 80 newly created NPS were identified in Europe.
By Debbie Huband