The most popular legal highs being taken in the centre of Edinburgh*

*Judging by its rubbish

National drugs charity Crew has a good relationship with its local street sweeper. So good, in fact, that he collects discarded legal high packets on his daily route around the Royal Mile and hands them in to their office for analysis.

Though Crew is unsure of his motivations, the information the packaging gives them about which legal highs are being taken on the streets is invaluable. It helps to them find out what’s actually in the substances (sometimes they send them off for testing), and it also lets them know what’s popular. They can then use this information to better inform their own work.

So here are some of the most popular legal highs being taken in the centre of Edinburgh, judging by its rubbish, in order of popularity from left to right.

Stimulants:

 Cannabinoids:

Empathogens:

Depressants:

For the full list of packaging found on the streets of central Edinburgh between August and September 2014, contact Crew.

For up to date information in legal highs, visit the Crew website.

For a crash-course in what legal highs are, visit Know The Score.

To find out more about booking a session on legal highs for young people, contact Fast Forward.