What do you know about “legal highs” in the workplace
Use of synthetic cannabinoids in U.S. leads to 11,406 emergency department visits
The UK Government recent announced that it plans to outlaw novel psychoactive substances (NPS), better known as “legal highs,” serves as a reminder that recreational drug taking remains a problem both in society and in the workplace.
Editor’s Note: NPS, “designer drugs” or “research chemicals” are terms used for the fairly new emerging drug market and new drugs. There are a huge number of chemicals that are currently available, being produced and that could potentially be produced. One of the most well-recognized and highly regarded European drug monitoring groups (EMCDDA) stated that there were 280 potentially harmful “legal highs” produced in 2012 in Europe alone. Very little research has been done on these drugs. Most of these chemicals have not been tested/tried (safety profiled) on humans (some not even on animals) at all and as of yet, there is very little information about the effects (short and long term), how they work, whether they’re addictive and whether there are any allergic reactions or overdose potentials. It is very difficult to be definitive about the effects of any chemical on human beings, particularly if the exact nature of that chemical is unknown. NPS are often sold via the Internet, where information on their effects is minimal or inaccurate.