'Legal high' warning

Parents are being warned about the potentially “disastrous” effects of a legal cannabis substitute police claim is being sold to Busselton school children.

Busselton Detective Craig Edwards was concerned several sources have reported New Zealand produced Kronic being sold in Busselton, in at least one outlet close to a local school.

The product, which is inhaled through a cigarette, is marketed as “legal weed” on the company’s website which lists “skunk” - a term used for cannabis – among its available flavours.

Sold for about $15-20/gram, testimonials compare its effects to cannabis.

Busselton acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gerreyn said despite its legality, its use by children was worrying as it had the same “debilitating” effects as cannabis.

He said he had no doubt children in the area used Kronic and had taken it to school or attended under its influence.

“I think parents should be concerned.

The effects this stuff has on people, especially young people, could be disastrous,” he said.

However, Det. Edwards said police were powerless to prosecute sellers or those in possession of Kronic because it could be bought legally in Australia.

The New Zealand Government this week announced it would ban the sale of the product and other similar “legal highs” to under 18-year-olds.

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School principal Ted Kosicki said the school was keeping “ears to the ground” about legal highs which he was worried could lead to poor judgment in students.

The principal said he had been told about Kronic but had yet to find it on school grounds.

“Just be mindful we’re unsure what’s actually within this product.

If it’s putting kids on a natural high I’d have concerns,” he said.

Other schools including Cornerstone Christian College and Cape Naturaliste College also said they had yet to witness the use of Kronic in their students.

The Health Department’s Drug and Alcohol office executive director Neil Guard said there was a lack of evidence on the harms of the products but such products have caused short-term effects including convulsions, nausea and headaches.

“The Drug and Alcohol Offices’ Drug Aware Program is working to educate young people about the harms associated with using such products,” he said.

Its use by motorists, Sgt Gerreyn said was also dangerous and a risk to other road users.

The supplier’s website advised against excessive use before driving and said the products were designed for use by “responsible people” aged over 18, although Australian websites selling the substance show no age restrictions on its sale.