Oldham Council is carrying out a survey on substances known as legal highs – and we need residents to take part.
Little is known about how these substances are being used, what legal highs people are taking and their effects.
We’d like to know what makes people start and continue to use the substances, which may also be known as, ‘bath salts’, ‘research chemicals’, ‘plant food’, ‘herbal highs’ or new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Some mimic the psychoactive effects of illegal drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, and amphetamines.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader (Elect) of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are hoping residents will take part in this confidential survey.
“By completing the questionnaire you will help provide accurate information needed in order to better understand the use and experience of taking legal highs by young people and adults in the borough.
“We would appreciate people taking just a little bit of their time to tell us about their experiences with legal highs, because they will ultimately be giving young people and adults who take these substances, or are curious about taking them, better information on which to base their decisions.”
The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You do not have to provide any personal information unless you want to take part in other aspects of the research.
You will be asked about your knowledge and perceptions of legal highs; if you have ever taken any; and about the good and bad effects you have experienced.’
If you have not used legal highs we are still interested in hearing from you.
All your answers will be kept strictly confidential and this study is solely focused on finding out information to provide a better understanding of the use of legal highs in the borough.
The survey’s findings will also be used to gather information to support local service provision for the community and to assist harm reduction campaigns.
To take part in the survey visit www.oldham.gov.uk/legalhighsconsultation
The survey will close on March 11.
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