The Safer NPT partnership is aiming to ensure that lessons around legal highs are not learned the hard way by organising workshops for parents on the topic.
Parents of secondary school children in Neath Port Talbot will be able to take advantage of free workshops throughout October and November, outlining the dangers of New Psychoactive Substances, more commonly known as ‘Legal Highs’.
All 11 secondary schools throughout the county borough will be hosting roadshows with teachers and experts from the Safer NPT Partnership to share information, dispel myths and to give parents the chance to ask their own questions around the subject.
New Psychoactive Substances are a concern for authorities across the UK, with government moving to introduce a bill in May that allows the ban of individual substances.
Despite the bill being in place, there is currently a loophole in the law that allows creators of legal highs to change the ingredients in their products, and thus creating a new and different substance.
To address this issue, local partners are coming together to organise these roadshows and ensure that the young people of Neath Port Talbot remain safe on our streets.
Council Leader, Cllr Ali Thomas OBE said: “Legal Highs are a big problem across the UK and this is mostly due to the confusion and common perceptions surrounding them. Our message in Neath Port Talbot is, ‘just because they are legal, it does not mean they are safe’, and these workshops will help to illustrate this and to explain why”.
“It is important that agencies, parents and young people educate themselves and each other about these chemical drugs. I would encourage all parents to come along to the roadshows, chat with our staff and understand the consequences of taking so called legal highs.”
South Wales Police Chief Inspector Simon Belcher: “Raising awareness of this important and emerging issue is absolutely vital, not only among young people but also with parents, guardians and carers.
“While education about this issue continues we are also involved in various enforcement operations with trading standards to disrupt the supply of these items which can be extremely harmful and have a direct impact on the behaviour of individuals in the community.
“Our message is that ‘legal doesn’t mean safe’ and we want to highlight the dangers of NPS and the impact they are having on families and communities.”
The roadshows will take place across October and November at all secondary schools. Dates can be found through your local school or on the Safer NPT website: www.safernpt.org
Follow @Saferneathpt on Twitter or search ‘Safer Neath Port Talbot’ on Facebook for the latest information from Safer NPT.
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