SCORES of youngsters are said to be turning to so-called 'legal highs' — sparking concern among police and health chiefs.

Teenagers in Llanelli are allegedly taking salvia divinorum — a psychoactive plant which is legal to purchase in the UK. The leaf can be chewed or smoked to produce varying experiences, ranging from uncontrollable laughter to profoundly altered states.

But experts have warned of dabbling with the unknown, and the authorities are planning to launch a campaign raising awareness of the issues and the risks.

One unnamed source said: "I was out with some friends when one of them offered me this drug. I had never heard of it but apparently it's the new craze in Llanelli — you can smoke it with a water pipe.

"Apparently you can buy it from Chinese herbalists and other health shops. I tried it and for a few minutes everything felt totally unreal."

The effects of the drug may include sensations of motion, such as being pulled or twisted by forces, seeing past memories such as revisiting places from childhood, or overlapping realities, such as the perception of being in several locations at once.

Alan Andrews, director of the Chooselife drug intervention programme, urged parents to keep an eye on their children for tell-tale signs of drug taking.

"Anyone who is offered something that they are unsure of should be careful," he said. Mind-altering drugs can be dangerous — they can open doors in your mind which are not supposed to be opened.

"I have come across people that have never recovered from taking a drug like this — it can cause paranoia and panic attacks, even later on in life. Parents should be careful not to overreact, but should keep an eye out for changing moods or different behaviour in their children."

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: "We recognise the potential seriousness of using these drugs not for the purpose they were designed for. We are working to develop a campaign to raise the public's awareness which will be launched later this month."

A Hywel Dda NHS Health Board spokeswoman added: "The board is concerned about any misuse of legal or illegal drugs in the community and is working with partners to address the issue."

Call Chooselife on 01554 771122.

chantelle.rees@swwmedia.co.uk