FOUR LEGAL HIGHS have now been made illegal, with tighter controls placed on a fifth.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has approved on order allowing the drugs to be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act following assessment by the EU.

“These substances are dangerous and pose significant health risks for people who use them,” according to Varadkar. “Four of the substances are so-called “legal highs” and have no legitimate use.”

The drug that is to be placed under tighter control is the euphoric depressant GHB. The drug is used in anaesthesia but can be abused. GHB is a Class C drug in the UK where it is blamed for about 3 deaths per year according to The Lancet medical journal.

Today’s announcement that four drugs are to be made illegal is the first such declaration since 2010 and 2011 when psychoactive substances being sold in head shops were banned.

New drugs now controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act

• 5-IT: A stimulant similar in effect to ecstasy or speed.
• AH-7921: A synthetic opioid that mimics heroin.
• MXE: A dissociative similar to ketamine with stronger effects.
• 25I-NBOMe (N-Bomb): A synthetic hallucinogen similar to LSD.

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