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Mother to share story on effects of legal highs

Lindsay Schuitema
Lindsay Schuitema

An Aberdeenshire mother is set to tell her heartbreaking story of how legal highs affected her life after her son began experimenting with the substances.

Lindsay Schuitema will be part of the Fraserburgh Community Safety Group’s effort to raise awareness of the dangers posed by legal highs later this year at a north-east secondary school.

Describing the period as “heartbreaking,” she explained that her son’s circle of friends, some as young as 14, had allegedly been talking about and purchasing the legal substances.

“There was nothing the doctors could do because they don’t know what they’ve taken, and there’s nothing the police can do because it’s a legal high. I’ve seen the extremes of it.

“The problem is that kids are seeing these things as legal, as if there’s nothing wrong with it. Although I couldn’t get any support, there is actually a lot out there.

“Just keep an eye on your kids. I just want them to be aware of these things,” she warned.

Ms Schuitema, from Fraserburgh, added that her son, who she did not want named, has recently begun to “see the light” of his actions. She has since created a support page on for parents going through any similar situation with their own children.

Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping, chair of the safety group, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that she is going to give her story.

“This is one of our major projects this year. We feel it is important that young people and adults are aware of the dangers of legal highs.”

Councillor Topping hopes the presentation will take place before the winter break at Fraserburgh Academy.

Last night, local MP Eilidh Whiteford said she could not discourage people strongly enough against trying legal highs.

The MP for Banff and Buchan said: “The substances in question are untested, unregulated, and we have no idea of the long-term effects they may have. I can’t discourage people strongly enough from using these substances.”

Also warning on the dangers of legal highs, Luan Grugeon, chief executive of Drugs Action, said: “The first thing I’d say is that help and advice is out there. Drugs Action operates a seven days a week service in Aberdeen.

“This is not an issue just for young people, it’s people across the age spectrum. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe,” she warned.