The issue of legal highs is to be discussed at a conference in Amersham next week after community groups reacted to an "explosion" of retailers selling the substances in Bucks.

The substances are designed to mimic the effects produced by illegal drugs but are often sold as bath salts, plant food or herbal remedies.

The growing problem of legal-high use in Bucks was highlighted by research commissioned by BCC last year, which found that adults in Bucks were as likely to take the substances as those elsewhere in the UK.

But the study also suggested that users in Bucks were twice as likely to have used 'dissociative' legal highs - those that make the users feel like mind and body are separated - than users from outside the county.

Martin Phillips, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: "We need a broad and urgent response to legal highs starting with a greater commitment to raising awareness across the county of the risks.

"With the explosion in the number of online retailers and head shops selling the new drugs, the dangers to young people are as great as ever.”

It is estimated that one new legal high comes onto the market every week and, while some stores such as Ruby Moon (Castle Street, High Wycombe) have stopped selling them, they are readily available to buy on around 140 UK websites.

In May this year the government promised a ‘blanket ban’ on NPS and warned breaking the law could lead to seven-year jail terms.

The substances, which are required by law to print the words ‘NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION’ on the packaging, are not currently covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Colin McGregor-Paterson, CEO of the Oasis Partnership – drug & alcohol rehabilitation specialists in Bucks for over 30 years – who is presenting at the conference, said: “People should be worried about legal highs.

“It is something of a hidden problem because people buy this stuff from the internet. This means we do not know how much they are being used.

“Some of these substances are so new that we do not fully know the impact.”

Guest speakers at the conference, which takes place at Kings Church, Amersham, next Thursday (November 12) from 9am to 4.30pm, will include Professor Neil McKeganey and Linda Stent from Public Health England.

To book tickets for the conference, visit https://legalhighs.eventbrite.co.uk.