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Police and customs officers are taking to the roads over the next few weeks to try to tackle the Island’s growing drug problem and give parents the hard facts about so-called legal highs.
Today they will be visiting Jersey College for Girls to raise awareness of the dangers of "New Psychoactive Substances" (NPS) and giving parents the heads up on what to look out for and who to speak to if they are worried about their children.
NPS which are often bought on the internet are made to mimic existing drugs like cannabis, amphetamines or LSD but no-one can tell what’s in them until they are tested in a lab but often that's too late and their devastating side effects have led to the deaths of many both in the UK and in Jersey.
Inspector Craig Jackson said: “NPS’ are a growing problem in Jersey and one we are working hard to tackle, but it is wider than just enforcement which is why this initiative is so important.
This is an island-wide problem and we need people to understand how devastating their impact can be, not only on your health, but on the lives of others.”
The roadshows are part of a wider police and customs campaign which promotes the message “Just because they claim to be legal, it doesn’t mean they are legal or safe.”
Head of Customs and Immigration David Nurse said: “Often these dangerous drugs are bought in minutes over the internet and delivered by post. We want to tell parents what they should be looking for and who to contact if they are concerned.”
Students are also learning about the dangers of NPS at school and the Prison Me No Way team are running a competition to design posters on the dangers of the drugs and giving youngsters the chance to win a bike.
PMNW Jersey Chairman Lesley Harrison said: “It’s impossible to know what's in a so-called legal high before you buy it, or even afterwards as they have usually not been tested - so you are the lab rat.
“We want all islanders to be protected from these hideous drugs and believe the first stage of that is education. We invite as many parents as possible to come and speak to us, ask questions and find out where you can get help should you need it.”
The team stopped off at Les Quennevais yesterday and will calling into the Island’s other secondary schools on the following dates:
Thursday 18 September at Beaulieu Convent School
Tuesday 23 September at Hautlieu
Wednesday 24 September at Grainville
Thursday 25 September at De La Salle
Monday 29 September at Victoria College
Tuesday 30 September at Le Rocquier
Wednesday 1 October at Haute Vallee
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