LONDON, July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
The Angelus Foundation, the British charity dedicated to raising awareness of 'legal highs', has launched a new film warning of the dangers of taking these new psychoactive substances (NPS).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140722/697697-a )
The film entitled 'Vortex' depicts a young man confused about the risks of taking a legal substance - eventually he collapses from their potent effects. The film has been launched via social media and will also be aimed at young people through schools, universities and festivals.
The film is being launched the same week as the Psychoactive Substances Bill is being debated in the House of Lords. The Bill will outlaw the supply and sale of 'legal highs' or NPS.
Jan King, Angelus CEO said, "Angelus has, since its inception, used film as an effective means of getting information to young people in a digestible and entertaining way. We are launching the film 'Vortex' through social media as the best way of engaging with the maximum amount of people potentially at risk. 'Vortex' is a very creative production which should make people reflect that legal substances pose just as many risks as illegal ones."
Westopher Baker, filmmaker from Plymouth, said, "These aren't tried and tested substances and I have seen a lot of young people around me starting to take them and end up dead, hospitalised or with mental health issues. I felt I could at least try and tackle the issue, in order to reduce the demand for young people to take them recreationally. I decided to make 'Vortex' as realistic as I could, to portray how potentially one of the worse scenarios could pan out. Imagery is a powerful tool and people are living in an age of shorter attention spans, so a direct and powerful video seemed to be the best way to try and get the message out there."
Notes to editors:
1. Maryon Stewart lost her daughter to GBL and established the Angelus Foundation. It is the only drugs charity dedicated to combating legal highs and club drugs and has previously launched a national campaign including the website http://www.whynotfindout.org. There is also a site for families http://www.angelusfoundation.org.uk
2. The Vortex film was written and produced by Westopher Baker (@westopher1986) based in Plymouth.
3. Link to the film via Youtube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efhh3n3S6ug
Share this article