speech at National Assembly 14 May 2015

3th May 2015 Plenary Session at 18:38

Mike Hedges

Firstly, can I thank Suzy Davies for giving me a minute in what I think is a very important debate? I’d like to talk about the role that further education colleges have traditionally played for 14 to 16-year-olds and not just 16-year-olds. Perhaps the Deputy Minister can tell us the current position of the 14-19 pathway.

 

I have three quick case studies from my teaching experience: a pupil who refused to attend school, because he was being bullied, attended college, passed several GCSEs to grade A and then passed one A-level at grade A, had a distinction at BTEC national, leading to acceptance at Aberystwyth University; a pupil who had difficulties in school and was a school refuser, who passed a first diploma, then a national diploma and then moved on to full time employment; a pupil who was asked to leave school for hitting a teacher, who wouldn’t let him leave the class. He completed four GCSEs at grade C, progressed to training and became a plumber. Although, when I was teaching, I did tell him that if he ever wanted to leave, I would not stop him.

 

The point I’m trying to make is that education other than at school should not mean that pupils cannot be successful. I think that really is the key: we want them to succeed. Schools don’t always suit everybody, but we want every child to fulfil their potential.

 

 

Speech at National Assembly on Legal High's

Legal Highs

Thank you presiding officer..

Whilst not a member of the committee I did attend a meeting during the discussion of this problem and I live in an area where legal highs are on sale

I intend pressing for the Irish solution of banning new psychoactive substances based upon effect not on chemical composition. We will never win a battle with the chemists

 

I accept that legislation will not completely solve the problem as it has not solved the problem of cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

I also accept that education is very important

I find it amazing that people will buy items of unknown provenance and of unknown composition and then put it into their body

Sometimes with tragic results

A father was killed by a new legal high found for the first time in Britain - and an inquest in Cardiff heard it was five times stronger than heroin.

Dad-of-three Thaker Hafid, 37, was found dead by his wife after trying the legal high bought online from China.

He collapsed in the study after experimenting with the white powder delivered to his home.

The hearing was told it was analysed as acetyl fentanyl - described as having the same effect as morphine and heroin.

Owain Vaughan, from Glynneath, was rushed to Morriston Hospital, Swansea suffering fits and being violently sick. The substance he took is not banned — indeed a quick search on the internet can identify where it is on sale in South West Wales.

I could continue, but I am sure the Presiding officer would not let me, listing people taken seriously ill after using legal highs in Wales for over an hour.

FOLLOWING five recent cases of people in South Wales needing hospital treatment after taking so-called legal highs, the Post asked journalism student DANNY GALLAGHER to find out just how available they are over the counter in our shops. Here's what he found

The legal high he was searching for goes by the name of Exodus, a popular underground synthetic cannabinoid or herbal incense. A quick browse online showed the product is "strictly not for human consumption". Users of the substance had left reviews, one simply warned: "never again".

It was soon clear that he was delving into a clouded and unregulated industry

In October 2013, 17-year-old Matt Ford lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack in his Canterbury bedroom after inhalation of Exodus. Another man from Kent had sustained severe brain damage after a heart attack.

Two years on and it is still on the streets, sold legally.

Before setting off, he checked online the kind of prices . Most sites agreed on around £8 for a one gram sachet of the product, or up to £55 for nine grams.

It was early morning when he approached the shop in Neath, which had two men in the doorway. After informing the lady behind the counter I wanted Exodus, she signalled to a male by the door who promptly came over to serve him.

The man quickly asked to see identification before locating a shoulder bag from beyond the counter — inside, a collection of herbal incenses. He wasn't asked for a specific cash sum, instead he just looked at me as though he was intended to know.

He then visited a shop in Swansea city centre. The store said it did not stock herbal incense, but was happy to provide a product called Salvia.

Derived from the sage-like plant salvia divinorum, the substance is known to produce strong hallucinogenic experiences. The cashier gave the options of different strengths.

A moment later and £9.75 out of pocket he had bought a gram. Clearly labelled on the packet were the words: Not approved for human consumption

Finally can I turn to Woodfield Street in Morriston where a shop selling legal highs exists.

Where you can find people collapsed on the floor

People who are described colloquially as out of it

We have Elderly Residents in fear of walking on the pavement.

A bike with Sat Nav is used for delivery

Whilst making it illegal will not stop it being used

It will stop it being sold on the streets and on the Internet