27/01/2014 Inside Out West Midlands

It is a jam`packed show tonight. We investigate the popularity and the

risks of the so`called legal highs. We meet the couple whose dream of a

house in the sun turned into a nightmare. Well, we have lost in the

region so far of 250,000 euros. Most of that for the property.

I'm in Leamington Spa this week with Blakey, he is trying to `` training

to be a guide dog. Later in the show we will catch up with other

four`legged friends who are trained to help people with all kinds ofle

disabilities. `` with all kinds of disabilities.

This is Inside Out and I'm Mary Rhodes. First, they may be legal,

but are they safe? The number of people dying after taking

mind`altering substances or legal highs is on the increase. Sarah

Sturdy finds out what they are and who is taking them.

Me and legal highs. Legal highs! We take more legal highs in the UK

than anywhere else in Europe. I know the dangers. I know the risks. You

can get them from shops, markets, you can buy it online. It is my kind

of fun. You can smoke it. You can inject it ` you can swallow it.

Legal`high related deaths have risen dramatically. I know a lot of people

who take them. Not just youngsters, it is old people as well. Middle

aged people. You cannot stop them. It will not go away.

Right, so me and legal high highs ` edon't do them all the time.

(C)edoren Wright is 20 and from Derbyshire. She records herself and

others doing legal highs and puts them on the internet. This man

thinks he is sitting in a tree with a bear.

I am scared and the bear is scared. He decides to escape the bear.

Coren is lighting up with clockwork orange.

Other people don't find it so funny. It was a big wake up call. Two died

from an injection in the stomach which ruptured the bowls. The other

committed suicide because he was not in a of fit state of mind. John

Marriot believes legal highs killed three friends. Mephedrone is now

banned. John said he became an addict, sleeping rough in the park

in Sutton`in`Ashfield. I was selling, in position. I would sell

anything to get it. I lost my hearing over it. I ended up with

cancer of my neck. I don't know if it was caused by it. It might be

legal, but they don't know what's in it.

There are concerns the very phrase "legal high" to describe a

mind`altering synthetic chemical is giving out the wrong message. The

experts prefer the term new or novel psychoactive substances or NPS. If

an NPS is banned, well the manufacturers they just create

another one, very similar, and that is still legal.

The science is moving faster than the law. Temporary bans are but in

place while tests are carried out on substances causing concern.

These packets, they all say, not fit for human consumption. Is that their

only use? Yes. It is irrelevant. It is a get`out`clause. The people

selling it, say if you take it, you are doing so at your own risk. This

woman and her team of scientists try to find out who is in a new

psychoactive substance. Police sends them for analysis when

they are linked to a death or serious illness, like the two

incidents in Lincoln where four people were found unconscious on the

street it is not unusual to find illegal substances in a legal high

product. In this case, it has got a large amount of ketamine in it. It

is nasty material. It is a controlled substance. What is it? A

horse anaesthetic. We bought our own legal highs and asked the lab team

to test them. We found the packages maybe different, but the contents

can be exactly the same. Like these three ` modern marketing ` ten

pounds a `` ?10 a packet, but you don't know what is inside. They are

things we have never seen before so we don't have a way to easily

identify them. We have to work out what they are. Not only are they new

to us. It means that nobody knows what effect they're going to have.

The green stuff, what they put it in ` the legal high ` that is just

plants. The chemical ` they spray on it ` put it in it so something is in

there to smoke it. What happened when Coren took it for the first

time? 30 seconds later ` poof! And my mind was full of imagination

that I could not get rid of for 20 minutes. She has taken plenty more

since. I love to draw when I'm on legal

highs. The imagination ` what comes out of my head to the paper ` the

black and whiteness ` wow! Do you not worry about the risks though? I

take full responsibility for my actions. I blame myself ` if

anything bad happens to me ` I blame myself. Coren has warned her

Internet audience it can go wrong. I think I learnt it was another

weekend. I rolled a pure spliff and to be honest I were... I've had one

bad experience and I thought I would die. Your imagination will go like

down, like you can't literally think of anything. You are zoning out. You

are staring at something, but not thinking anything. Your friends ask,

what are you doing? You are like, "I don't know! " Paul Smith is a

forensic toxicologist at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. He tries

to uncover exactly what patients have taken when they turn up at

Accident Emergency. We had a case of five friends who

turned up to A who all had taken the same substance. One of the

friends had a seizure and cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, he died. Back

in 2007, forensic toxicologists at the LRI didn't find any new

substances in postmortems. Five years later there were deaths

involving NPS. If we don't know what they are, it is difficult for the

clinicians to give the correct treatment. The clinician will treat

the patient as if they have taken an illegal. In the forensic toxicology

department we are seeing these cases too late and the patient has already

died. Hill hilling hill is one of the `` Matthew Hilton`Turner is one

of the lucky ones. He was just 14 when he was rushed to hospital. He

had taken illegal highs with friends. He told his dad, never

again. He was one of five young people found collapsed in this area

in one week after taking legal highs. I couldn't breathe. I

couldn't move at all. I couldn't see my arms. I couldn't see my legs. I

literally felt like I was going to die.

Even if it gets banned, the clockwork orange they add another

ingredient, call it something else and that will take its place.

Matthew's dad has learnt a lot since he thought his son was going to die.

He has been left confused and frustrated that the legal high trade

is able to operate. I am 55. I cannot buy more than two packets of

paracetamol in my local supper market. It is a mess. The police and

the department, they have to get hold of this and sort it out it is

available online. My son, who took it, could have died from it. And it

is legal! It is legal ` but why? It is a struggle. Basically we are

playing catch`up. The system and toxicologists are playing catch`up

with the people producing these compounds.

The Government will announce in the spring how it plans to deal with the

trade in new psych active substances, sold not just in the

internet but in so`called head shop, in a town near you. My family aren't

happy with me doing this. They can't stop me. It is what I like to do for

fun. There will be a time where I will just stop everything. In the

mean time, I have nothing to do. I'm trying to find a job.

I won't be doing it all my life. The trouble is no`one can tell her

if her life, her mental or physical health has been damaged beyond

repair. I used to be, not addicted ` I would smoke it all the time. I

don't miss it. I really don't miss it.

If you are worried about legal highs or just want some more information,

our website could help. Just go to bbc.co.uk/insideout.

And stay with us, because later in the programme, we will meet some

four`legged friends, who are helping disabled people across the Midlands.

She's helping me with doors, lifts and door buttons. She pays the cash

sheer and she is starting to help me at the ATM, taking out the card and

eventually the money. Just things like that.

Next, we are on the sunshine trail to Spain investigating the property

pitfalls which are reducing people's grand retirement designs to piles of

rubble. David Whitely has been to meet the

Weafers from Worcestershire with whose Andalucian dream hasn't come

true. This is Andalusia in southern Spain.

It is not hard to see why the British retire here in their

thousands. The British love this region so much

that many have invested their life savings to build their dream home

right here in the sun. Who can blame them! The evidence of the building

boom is clear to see all around here. The hillsides and valleys are

peppered with flats, villas and swimming pools. It is all pretty

idyllic. Much of what you see here is an illusion. Many of those who

built homes here in Andalusia have been told they were put up

illegally. These homes have not even been lived in. Instead of a

stress`free retirement, people have had years and years of worry and it

has cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Because if the

authorities here decide your home is illegal, then you could pay the

ultimate price. This British villa was bulldozed in Andalusia just a

few months ago. It is a future that Bob and Yvonne from Redditch could

face after they purchased a property in the same region. We had been

watching all these holiday programmes, buy in this and that

country and the other country. We went to Spain. We went to see

several builders and several sites. We picked the one in 2 005 and we

had a good plot ` not a large plot, but it was one where we could see

for miles. Like many people they had always wanted to build a home

abroad. Somewhere they could escape to with their family for some

sunshine and relaxation. We actually had the van booked and everything to

bring out all the luggage. Within days of that happening, in 2006,

that would have been November, 2006, we suddenly read on the internet

that the police had actually sealed the site off. Their villa is one of

almost 300,000 properties in Andalusia caught newspaper a legal

wrangle, declared illegal, they stand in limbo. The Weafers have

invested their life savings in a property they cannot live in. Well,

we have lost in the region, so far, of 250,000 euros. Most of that for

the property, about 210,000. We owe the last payment for the extras. How

did this all come about? For years, it seemed that people were able to

build on these hillsides with little or no restriction. About ten years

ago the regional authorities decided to get tough, in a bid to stop the

urbanisation of the countryside. In 2003, a planning law was

introduced by the regional council which meant it was illegal to build

in the countryside unless for agricultural use. It is how that law

is interpreted and enforced which seems to be causing a major

headache. The Weafers #140u8d have moved into

their `` should have moved into their home nine years ago. It has

been in a battle about whether their home is legal or not. Their villa is

on a small estate in the Almanzora Valley, around a 40 minute drive

from the coast. Do you know what it is incredible to think this should

be a blusling community of ex`pats from Britain, all enjoying their

retirement, when in fact it is abandoned. There's no`one here. If

you just listen... It is incredibly quiet. It is so eerie. This is just

a ghost town. For the bess part of a decade a

battle has been going on to get developments like this declared

legal. Whose fault is this? Ultimately with the regional

Government. This sort of lack of control in the planning systems

happens in a vacuum. The problems occur in a vacuum where there is no

control. We think that the #1i9 weighs is not good `` we think that

the situation is not good for anybody. It is not good for the

economy of Spain, not good for the image of Spain. It is not good for

the unfortunate people who purchased these houses from developers. It

just needs to have some common sense and some rational decisions made to

sort this problem out. Rather than letting it drag on and

on and on to the detriment of everybody concerned. Why did you

join the campaign? Because I had an illegal house. I didn't know until

three months after I moved in with my family. I found out from my

neighbours there was a problem and I was on the list. Are you facing the

possibility that you could lose your home? Yes, the ultimate is I have

all the paperwork, what they call an Escatora. I have the license for

everything in the house and what they call a first habation license,

which allows me to live in there with all those facilities. Yes, if I

lose my case it is a potential it could go to demolition and I lose

everything. Bob and evn could face a deep `` E von could face a `` Yvonne

could face a demolition order. Now the Weafers have not been here

for years. They find it too upsetting to see all their

hard`earned money which has gone to waste. I will look for them. It is

shocking. In fact, it is heartbreaking. You go in ` things

have been ripped out of the walls. You can picture them enjoying their

retirement under this beautiful hot sun, all through the winter,

enjoying their retirement. They are not here ` it sits here on the

hillside, whilst all this shrub grows back over it. It is like the

hillside is reclaiming the land. It is incredibly sad. I want to find

out why it is taking so long to sort out this dispute. The authorities

here have agreed to speak to me about the Weafers situation. A

representative from the local council told me the fault lies

squary with the law being changed retrospective retrospectively,

making homes legal now illegal. How do you change things? Is there hope

for these people in this awful situation? ? ?

TRANSLATION: I have been asked to put together a legal proposition to

the local Government which could change state law and legalise 65% of

these properties. This must happen. There's no way we can defraud the

British people, who came here in good faith. They put the blame

squary on the local councils. The Town Halls did it on the whole

because they were looking to prosper and felt they had to grasp the

moment of the boom. They did not respect the rules and regulations

which were in place as far as the state law is concerned. The regional

council told us it was working on a plan which could Seaman the majority

of these properties legalised. Both councils are sing from the same hymn

sheet with a resolution as early as perhaps next year. Back in Redditch

the Weaferses are waiting. Their `` the Weafers are still waiting. Their

villa continues to deteriorate. This is where things have been taken. The

bathroom which was partly in there has been ripped out by robbers.th ``

They have resigned their fact they will live out their retirement here

in Worcestershire. They don't expect to ever get their money back.

I wouldn't believe it... Not for a millisecond do I believe there'll be

a resolution to this problem. It is too big a problem. It will go on for

years. A huge amount of time and effort

goes into training dogs here at the guide dog training school. It pays

off. They grow up to be loyal, loving and utterly depenable

companions. I have found out how a centre in Leicester is teaching dogs

new trikes tricks to help trans`` new tricks to help transform the

lives of disabled people. And push, push, push. Good lad! If you thought

this film would be all about cute dogs doing clever tricks, then you

would be right. These amazing animals can open doors, go shopping,

find lost keys, help with dressing and undressing and even be there

when you are short of cash. Good job! But the real trick is the

way they are changing lives. Now that I have got him people seem to

take less notice of the chair and just see me as a person who happens

to be walking a dog. It brings tears to my eyes when I see the quality of

life that the dog gives back to something. She makes me smile. It

has changed everything. In Leicestershire, these future

life`changers are put through their paces by Canine Partners. It is a

charity established 24 years ago. They see your sun glasses.

It is important you play with your puppies. It is a bonding time for

you and your dog. They have to be puppies. Then we develop thesmt

playing with them is important `` they develop. Playing with them is

important. When they have bonded they will want to do stuff for you.

If I drop a phone, when he is older, he'll bring that back to me. At the

moment Canine Partners places 70 dogs with people every year. They

have big plans for growth. There are 1.2 million people in the UK that

use wheelchairs. That is an awful lot of people. We would expect to

have to grow along the same sort of lines as guide dogs for the blind.

Rachel Ross is sudy udying drama and was born with cerebral palsy. Her

canine partner is Chudleigh. He was an instant hit. He jumped straight

on my lap and was licking me to death the first time I met him. So,

I was aware that he was a bundle of energy and I really liked that about

him. Fellow students at Coventry

University have use used to seeing Chudleigh chilling out while Rachel

studies. Occasionally helping out. Here, give... Give! Good boy. If I

drop my keys on the floor, he is there to pick them up. I don't have

to ring somebody. It is all the little things. Where is your lead?

All that has given Rachel more independence on campus and around

her student flat, which means a lot to her parents.

Shut the door. Good boy! It is reassuring for us to know she has

Chudleigh with her. He's kind of her bodyguard when she goes out and

about at night`time. We can see a good relationship. A real good bond

between them now. It has helped Rachel. People perhaps realise that

a dog can unload a washing machine and can open and close a door or

help get undressed. That is only part of the picture. It is the fact

that dogs, being dogs, can work on your psychology. They can make you

feel better. They give you a routine in life. They bring out nurturing

instincts. Instead of sitting back being cared for yourself, you are

now responsible for another animal. That is a powerful motivation.

Canine Partners train every dog to meet the individual needs of their

clients. Today Heather and Debbie are getting acquainted with their

new best friends. Good girl! There is Carter a giant

Goldendoodle, who has been matched with Heather. He is lovely. Just a

big teddy bear actually when he came in the door.

Carter was selected for his size. Heather has problemed with her

balance. He is kind of a canine brace.

`` problems. You know, that will be huge. That will give me the

confidence to go out and do things. That is amazing ` I cannot explain

how much that is going to help me! Opening doors for Debbie is Ellie.

It is just incredible what they can do. She's just fantastic! We have

bonded very well. Debbie and Heather will spend two weeks living with

their new companions to forge a relationship that will hopefully

last a lifetime. Tell him to come here. Come here!

They shower the dogs with so much love, treats and toys that the bond

happens fairly quickly over those two weeks.

In Coventry Rachel entertains some of her fellow drama students with

Chudleigh's latest tricks. Good lad! He makes it a lot easier for people

to approach me because they kind of see a dog owner, as opposed to a

wheelchair user. He really changed Rachel's life. He made such a

difference, not just with the tasks he does for her.

Open the gate for me... Good lad! He broke the ice, you know. Rachel

cannot go into town without people saying, "Hello." And stopping and

talking to her. It breaks that barrier.

Debbie is now back home in Cardiff with Ellie. It has not all been

plain`sailing. Go and get it! Good girl!

Ellie! It was very difficult to start off with. I was quite anxious

and rightly so. She was testing me. She was learning, well she had to

re`learn everything, essentially, because from the environment she was

in everything changed. But Debbie has persevered and it has

paid off. Every day the bond has grown. You can see it. A lot of

people have said and we just enjoy each other's company. She is helping

me with lifts and she likes door buttons. She pays the cash sheer and

she is starting to help me at the ATM taking out the cards and

eventually the money ` just things like that. Good job! She senses my

moods. She makes efforts to cheer me up. She gives me hugs regularly.

Good girl. Come on! Every day she is responding to me that little bit

more and it is like we have been together for much longer. She is

very precious. Now if any of tonight's stories have

struck a chord with you, we would love to hear about it. Share with us

on our Facebook page or Twitter. And if you have got a story you

think I should know about, please drop me an e`mail. My address is

[email protected]. From me, and from my new friend

here, good night and see you next time.

They are back at the same time next week, when they are investigating

the killer weight lost drug. They will talk to one Midlands teenager

who has already used it twice and ended up in hospital. That's here at

the same time.