Legal highs can be defined as chemicals which are not controlled by the Misuse of Drug Act, 1971, not licensed to be used legally such as alcohol and tobacco. They are often labelled and sold as “bath salts” or “plant food” and to evade drug abuse legislation; these substances are labelled as “not for human consumption” (Posser & Nelson, 2012).
These chemicals alter the normal functioning of the brain; producing changes in our experience and behaviour. Majority of usage leans towards recreational use and the ingredients used mimicked the effect of some of the illegal drugs such as ecstasy. Legal highs has put the governments in a tough spot in responding to the many new synthetic compounds introduced in the market as it lies in between