Legal high awareness event held in Aberdeen

Legal highs are marketed at young people

The first event by Police Scotland to raise awareness among hundreds of schoolchildren about the dangers of legal highs has been held in Aberdeen.

Substances officially known as "new psychoactive substances" are marketed at young people and presented in bright packaging.

The awareness event was held at Transition Extreme in Aberdeen

The latest official UK figures show 68 deaths were linked to legal highs in 2012, up from 10 in 2009.

The event was held at extreme sports social enterprise Transition Extreme.

It is hoped it can be rolled out across Scotland.

Insp Kevin Wallace said: "Our officers attend incidents where young people have put themselves at risk having taken these substances.

"The long-term effects of new psychoactive substances and the health impact these substances could have is still so unknown.

"Our message is clear. We do not know what is in these substances so to keep safe do not take them."