'Legal highs' being discouraged

Drugs charities, health officials and law agencies will discuss the herbs

Public health officials in Guernsey are urging people not to smoke herbs which produce so-called "legal highs".

Substances such as Spice and Spice Gold are on sale in the island to smoke as substitutes for marijuana, but without containing any illegal ingredients.

Public health director Dr David Jeffs warned because they were not illegal it did not mean they were harmless.

Their availability will be reviewed within the next six weeks and then a decision taken on what to do with them.

Representatives of drugs charities, law enforcement agencies and health officials met on Monday to discuss whether the herbs are dangerous.

Officials' concerns about the herbs include reports that the substances have some side-effects, including elevating heart rates and causing anxiety.

Dr Jeffs said anyone considering taking them should think about the possible consequences.

He said: "Certainly for the people under the age of 18, we would discourage their use."