POLICE to tackle psychoactive substances to ‘protect young people across the South Hams’.

Police in Totnes will be carrying out proactive Operation Venus, aiming to tackle the use of psychoactive substances, formerly known as legal highs, among teenagers in the area.

The police want to safeguard young people from the harmful and dangerous effects that the drugs have on them, as well as intercept those who are supplying the drugs.

The operation was set up following concerns at the rising number of teenagers becoming vulnerable as a result of having access to the drugs. This is demonstrated in teenagers missing school, becoming very ill and experiencing frightening side effects.

‘Psychoactive substances/highs are not what they seem’ said Sergeant Tim Perrin who is leading the operation. ‘Teenagers using these drugs are putting themselves and their friends at risk, as the substances in circulation are often toxic and dangerous.’

In addition, a key message which forms part of the campaign is that ‘legal highs are not legal’. There is a public misconception that these drugs; now called psychoactive substances are legal and safe.

They are not.

The drugs were made illegal under ‘The Psychoactive Substances Act’ earlier this year. The legislation makes it a criminal offence to supply or distribute a psychoactive substance. The maximum prison sentence on conviction is seven years. Police are concerned that teenagers are not aware they are committing an offence if they share illegal drugs with their friends.

The police team are working closely with other public bodies and organisations to spread educational messages about the dangerous effects that the substances can have. ‘There have been a number of serious incidents in the area involving young people and their use of the illegal drugs. This is very worrying.’ added Sgt Perrin.

Educational workshops with all secondary schools will be carried out in South Hams, with the help of local medical professionals and drug experts. The sessions will include a heart-rendering account of a local boy who took ‘legal highs’ when he was just fifteen and is having to live with life-changing consequences since.

Sergeant Perrin would like to remind teenagers and their parents: ‘Remember that the substances are illegal for a reason. They are not what they seem. Legal highs don’t exist anymore. They are just drugs which are illegal and unsafe.’

Operation Venus has the backing of Public Health Devon, Community Safety Partnership, RISE, Y-SMART and schools in Totnes, Dartmouth Kingsbridge and Ivybridge.

If you have any information or any concerns regarding psychoactive substances (legal highs) in the South Hams, or any young person who might be effected by them, please call 101 or Crime Stoppers on Tel: 0800 555 111 quoting Operation Venus, EN 015792/16. Alternatively, please contact us if you are aware of anyone supplying them.