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Abstract
Aims: To contribute to knowledge about the use of legal highs; the role of the internet in the purchase of legal highs; and to examine whether legal high groups on Facebook are acting as new organized deviant groups (ODGs) by facilitating and supporting the purchase and use of these substances and illegal alternatives.
Methods: Facebook was used to recruit respondents through a ‘legal high survey’ forum. Members of the group were directed to an online survey about their use and purchase of legal highs. The group's chat was monitored over a three-month period to observe their conversations about their use of legal (and illegal) drugs.
Findings: Respondents used legal highs for pleasure, out of curiosity or as an alternative to illegal drugs. Respondents were using illegal drugs and alcohol alongside legal highs. 48% of respondents agreed that they felt fully informed of the recommended dosage when purchasing legal highs online. There was evidence that online groups are acting as ODGs by protecting and neutralizing drug use and by informing and supporting novice users.
Conclusions: Policy makers should be concerned about the degree to which such groups encourage and reinforce the use of new substances, the safety of which is virtually unknown.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
Notes
Notes
1. Legal highs are substances which produce the same, or similar effects, to drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy … legal highs have been designed to mimic class A drugs, but are structurally different enough to avoid being classified as illegal substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act. FRANK website http://www.talktofrank.com/news/what-are-legal-highs
2. At the time of writing, only one substance had been banned under this new system – methoxetamine (mexxy) in March 2012.
3. FB= Facebook posting; IC= Facebook instant chat; all quotes are verbatim with spelling mistakes intact.