A NEW project has been launched in Truro, St Austell, Penzance, Liskeard, Bodmin and Redruth to raise awareness of the risks of 'legal highs'.

Addaction, the drug and alcohol treatment charity with bases in each of the towns has organised county-wide specialists to offer advice and support to people affected by the drugs.

Addaction operations manager Darren Jones said: “We will be getting out to colleges, clubs, pubs, and anywhere else in the community where there may be people affected to offer support.

"So called legal highs are not only targeted at young people through brightly coloured packaging but are becoming the drug of choice for a number of drug users who have a history of illicit drug use, mainly due to their strength and the ease with which they can be bought.

“People need to be aware how dangerous these synthetic drugs can be and understand they are putting their lives at risk by using them.

"Legal highs is a misleading term - by calling them 'legal', it's easy to be fooled into thinking these drugs must be safe or at least tested, when that's far from the truth, we call them ‘lethal highs', as we see the devastating effects after even a short term use of them.

"These substances are usually marked as 'not for human consumption' for a reason. People don't know what they are using or the potential dangers and if they're injecting then they're exposing themselves to risks of overdose, blood-borne viruses, infections, injury and accidents."

Posters will be put up to inform people about the side effects of taking some of these psychoactive substances such as paranoia, hallucinations, mood swings and sleep disturbance.

A series of special drop-in sessions and workshops is being set up for anyone who wants to learn more about drugs or legal highs.

In addition, a Facebook group has been created for Addaction Cornwall so people can get in touch with any questions that way and there will be online support too.

Workshops will focus on giving people factual information about drugs and advice on how to look after themselves to prevent being harmed by them.

The project aims to work with families and friends as well, and information will cover recognising when there may be a problem.

The project will also involve showing people there are other ways of taking risks and getting a buzz through diversionary activities, so Addaction plans to link up with local activity Centre’s to take people out rock climbing, coasteering or sailing for a ‘natural high’.

Darren said: “There are a so many myths about these new substances, this project will bring the facts to people's attention so they know all about the dangers and risks involved and hopefully make safer choices.”

To get involved with the project call Darren Jones on 01579 340616 or email him d.jones2@addaction.org.uk