SOLIHULL Police have reminded local people about a recent change in the law which banned the sale and supply of so-called "legal highs".
Under the Psychoactive Substances Act, which came into force last month, anyone convicted of having intent to supply the products could face a prison sentence of up to seven years.
The Government imposed the ban in response to concerns about the growing number of chemicals being manufactured to produce similar effects to drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
Ministers argue that the tougher legislation will remove any doubt about the safety of substances and ensure they are removed from the shelves of convenience stores and petrol stations.
Chief Insp Simon Inglis, from West Midlands Police, said: "The term 'legal highs' may have given the impression they are safe but there are serious health risks and young and vulnerable people are playing Russian Roulette with their lives."
Some campaigners are less convinced and fear that driving the trade underground will only help backstreet drug-dealers and increase the number of deaths.
Authorities have admitted that the extent to which legal highs were being used in Solihull has been difficult to determine.
Two years ago, a campaign took place in Chelmsley Wood and surrounding areas to improve awareness among young people. The youth engagement group Urban Heard held a series of events to highlight the issue.
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