Irish teens 'biggest users of legal highs' in Europe

A new survey shows Irish teens are the biggest users of legal highs in Europe.

New data from Eurobarometer, the European Commission's research arm, shows 15 - 24 year olds are the biggest offenders, with 16% of them using the synthetic drug substitutes compared to the EU average of 5%.

The news came as the EU announced a crackdown on the drugs. Europe put 41 new substances on a drugs watch list last year - a record number.

Most head shops in Ireland closed last year after widespread protests, but legal highs are widely available on the internet.