The increasing use of legal highs is hampering police efforts to tackle drug dealers, Dundee’s commanding officer has claimed.
In a report to city councillors, Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith said there had been “a marked move” towards the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as legal highs, by substance misusers.
Latest figures show that detections for drug crimes in Dundee have fallen by 16.7% between April and December last year, compared to 2013.
He said: “There has been a marked move towards the recreational use of NPS by those misusing substances.
“Legislation to assist officers in the apprehension of offenders remains limited, however work is ongoing with our partners to educate the community, particularly those who are vulnerable or easily influenced, and to target premises within Dundee selling these substances.”
