Synopsis

Often referred to as "legal highs," these substances have emerged as a widespread global issue. Their popularity has surged in the United Kingdom, and fatalities linked to these chemicals – engineered to replicate the effects of illicit drugs such as cocaine and cannabis – have tripled in recent years. In May 2016, the government responded by enacting the Psychoactive Substances Act, which banned these substances. The north east of England bears a disproportionate burden of drug addiction. This