UK seeks ban on NRG-1

The substance NRG-1, a so-called legal high, should be made illegal, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has said.

It advised the government that the chemical naphyrone, which is sold as NRG-1, should be made a Class B drug.

The ACMD said the drug could "cause real harm due to its potency and associated health effects".

The body also urged the home secretary to impose an immediate import ban on naphyrone in its recommendations.

Prof Les Iversen, who chairs the ACMD, said: "Users of 'legal highs' should be aware that just because a substance is being advertised as legal does not make it safe, nor may it be legal.

"Test purchasing has demonstrated that what you think you are buying is often not what is in the packet. The harms and effects of your purchase may be different and/or greater than you expect."