Designer Drugs
There has been much talk in the news about a number of drugs that have been legally available and are causing increasing concern. This one day course is aimed at workers who may be encountering clients using so called ‘Legal Highs' or 'Designer Drugs'; and who wish to be better informed about the these drugs, their effects and possible harms.
One of the concerns about these drugs is rising use among younger people and another is that the safety profile is often unknown (unlike the illegal drugs that have been in use for a long time). Being legal and easily bought from the internet, users could be led to believe that they are less harmful than illegal drugs. Emerging evidence suggests that this is far from the case.
This course aims to provide you an up to date picture of what is known, and the knowledge and confidence to provide meaningful information, advice and support for those who might need it.
Course Content includes:
An overview of the drugs that have recently been in circulation and the subject of concern, these include:
· The (Substituted Cathinones) group of stimulant, designer drugs: e.g. Mephedrone (4MMC, MCat, Bubble, Drone, Meow), NGRi .
· Benzyl Piperazine (BZP), Khat.
· GBL, Ketamine.
· 'Spice' , Salvia Divinorum.
· The current legal position.
· Some chemistry and pharmacology .
· The subjective effects and side effects.
· Potential physical and psychological harms.
· Options for responding to clients who are using these drugs.