Britain bans 'legal high' drugs

December 23rd, 2009 in Medicine & Health / Health

Britain banned several drugs known as "legal highs" Wednesday amid mounting
public concern about their health risks.

Substances including chemical solvent GBL, often used by nightclub-goers, and BZP,
a stimulant similar to amphetamine, are now illegal, as are herbal smoking products
containing man-made chemicals such as "Spice".

Long-standing concerns about the health risks of the drugs, particularly when taken
with alcohol, hit the headlines in April after 21-year-old medical student Hester
Stewart died after taking GBL.

Her mother, Maryon, campaigned nationally for a ban.

"We are cracking down on so called 'legal highs' which are an emerging threat,
particularly to young people," said Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

"That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from today with
ground-breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds."

The ban has also been extended to 15 anabolic steroids, which are often used by
sports people, Johnson said.

(c) 2009 AFP
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