Island bans 'legal highs' trade

The commercial importing and exporting of "legal highs" - herbs and chemicals sold as an alternative to some illegal drugs - has been banned in Guernsey.

The States said it had imposed the restriction, which came into force earlier, to "minimise the risk from harm" from the products.

It said it did not intend to criminalise legal highs, although that would be "kept under review".

Jersey introduced a ban on the sale of legal highs in 2008.

I have significant concerns about the effect these substances have on health Dr Stephen Bridgman, director of public health

Guernsey's Home and Health and Social Services Departments decided on the restriction following health concerns about the use of the products.

The Bailiwick Drug and Alcohol Strategy Group researched their effects by interviewing health professionals and youth workers.

Their research revealed a concern that a recent increase in mental health problems may be connected to the availability of legal highs.

Dr Peter Turner, a consultant psychiatrist in Guernsey, said: "Two years ago I was aware of hardly any legal high-related problems."

"Recently I have seen mental health problems associated with the use of legal highs and have advised the people concerned not to use these substances."

'Traditional remedies'

Dr Stephen Bridgman, director of public health, said: "I have significant concerns about the effect these substances have on health.

"People should not use these products, due to the uncertain nature of the chemicals in them and the reported adverse effects on health."

The Health and Social Services departments said the ban was not intended to interfere with the sale of traditional herbal remedies in the island.

But a new medicines law, expected to be implemented in 2011, will ban the sale of any "herbal medicinal product" which does not have UK government marketing authorisation.