In the literature, we see lead shop owners preparing chemicals in concrete mixers – a highly regulated industry is not, and the long-term impact on users is still largely unknown. As for short-term deaths, deaths from legal highs have doubled over the past five years, with hospital admissions up 56% during the 2009-2012 period. Last week, five men collapsed in Rochdale after taking legal highs called Annihilation and Cherry Bomb. DNA Legal tests more than 460 legal highs and synthetic drugs. NPS can be divided into three main categories: Psychedelic or hallucinogenic legal highs produce effects similar to LSD or ketamine, such as hallucination and dissociation. Dr. Zee, the Israeli chemist credited with launching the legal highs market in the UK, shows off his latest invention. Unlike his other discoveries — notably mephedrone, which caused media panic in 2009 when tabloids published horror stories about “miaow miaow” and “plant food” — this one cannot be sniffed or swallowed. Instead, it`s a black plastic box that looks more like a coffee maker. Forensic examinations of NPS have shown that they often contain substances other than those indicated on the packaging, or mixtures of different substances. This means that you could end up taking a medication that has stronger or different effects and risks than expected.
Peter Stanley is the owner of Portsmouth`s legal high emporium, Gypsy Kings, which sells 10,000 bags of legal highs every week. But not for long, because the day after this unique beginning, a ban on legal highs comes into effect. Stanley, a former metalworker, opened his business two years ago and found the legal market far more lucrative than the steel industry. He began producing his own line of the 3FPM stimulant, which he called Chang, Blow and the Devil`s Dandruff, as well as the synthetic cannabinoid Spice, which he sold to a steady stream of customers. These people cover up and exaggerate all the stereotypes about drug addicts: a young couple smoking psycho-strawberry joints and looking nicely into each other`s glassy eyes; 30-year-old men who spend 400 pounds a week on test-tube grass; people who have become dependent on Spice in prison; and thanks to the moped, Peter bought his assistant Barry for home deliveries, OAP. Calming legal “downers” or euphoriants produce an effect similar to cannabis, making you feel relaxed and relieving inhibitions. An example of this is the synthetic cannabinoid Spice, which is believed to have caused several deaths. Zee tells me that “just as gay rights or religious freedom are things our societies have opposed in the past and are proud of today, we will be proud to defend the cognitive freedom of tomorrow.” With all this moral talk, you suspect that part of him is having fun finding ways to annoy the establishment, which he says puts him under “close surveillance” despite his transparent – and legal – working methods. When you watch the documentary, you wonder if Zee – who “has never met someone who is addicted to my drugs. I`ve never been face to face with it” – is too far away from its consumers. Whether it`s the herb substitute Spice or the cocaine-mimicking Rush, users continue to point out that the heights are much greater than they are supposed to mimic. The long-term effects can be just as bleak – we see Glen, 31, whose life has revolved around Spice since he stepped away from weed, or Phil, a homeless addict since his youth, who gave up illegal drugs to shoot £40 worth of magic crystals every day at a nearby church.
These people are clearly trapped in a cycle of addiction – although it can easily be argued that they would be independent of the easy availability of the substance they have chosen. The Law on Psychoactive Substances came into force in May 2016, making it illegal to supply and manufacture these drugs. The DNA Legal NPS database is the largest in the country with more than 160 different synthetic cannabinoids and more than 300 synthetic drugs. This ensures that DNA Legal can offer the most comprehensive legal highs and synthetic drug tests in the country. You can expect results within 20 business days once the samples arrive at our lab. Given that Zee is clearly a competent scientist – he claims to have three degrees in mathematics and previous experience in the human genome project in Tel Aviv – isn`t there something more useful he could do with his skills? He believes his work has positive effects, in addition to helping people get high: “A number of substances I`ve discovered are being studied to treat Parkinson`s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and smoking cessation,” he says. A rather exciting molecule I came across recently looks like alcohol in small doses. I have conducted the necessary toxicological studies and shown that it is much less harmful than alcohol. I am working diligently to develop this compound as a remedy for alcoholism and overconsumption. “Each generation, without exception, has woven its collective front and is worried about how the younger generations will get their thrills.