Prince William told drugs workers in Dundee how he has helped rescue the victims of legal highs in his role as an air ambulance pilot.
The Earl of Strathearn discussed the scourge of the so-called legal highs with members of the Body Matters team on a visit to The Corner during today’s visit to Dundee.
Addaction lead youth worker Alain Saum told the Earl and Countess that she now does outreach work at all nine of the city’s high schools because the problem is so widespread.
“It is a big concern in Dundee. People who wouldn’t normally do drugs take them because of the word legal,” she said.
“And a small packet might contain 50 doses but people take it all at once.”
Sexual health nurse Jackie Fitzpatrick said the problem is even more dangerous because the long-term effects of the drugs is not yet know.
She said: “With cocaine or heroin we know what the psychological effects will be.”
Prince William revealed he has been called out on rescues where people have become seriously ill after taking the drugs.
“I don’t know why there are legal highs,” he said. “We have been called out when people are having fits or cardiac arrests after taking them.”
Youth worker Barry Jordan also told the couple there is increasing demand for support services for transgender people in Dundee.