'LEGAL highs' are legal no more, after a blanket ban came into force today.

Here’s what you need to know about the ban, and the consequences of breaking the Psychoactive Substances Act – which was originally expected to be rolled out in April.

Could you be jailed for breaking it?

YES, offenders could face up to seven years in prison.

Shops selling the drugs, or paraphernalia linked to taking them, could also be shut down from today.

Police will also have new powers to seize and destroy drugs, as well as searching people, cars and homes.

Will the ban reduce drug taking?

There are mixed views on this one. A survey by the YMCA found whilst overall usage was likely to reduce, a hefty two thirds of young people would continue to take their favoured no-longer-legal high.

There are also fears it could force dealers onto the so-called “dark web”, of unlisted and difficult to trace websites.

'Laughing gas' is legal no more

Meanwhile, criminal lawyer Edmund Smyth expressed fears that police “have ever more stretched resources, so questions remain about their ability to enforce the new regime effectively”.

What ARE legal highs?

New psychoactive substances, also referred to as designer drugs, exploded onto the scene in 2008/09.

They contain substances which mimic the effects of “traditional” drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy or “party pill” MDMA.

Nitrous oxide, often called “laughing gas” or “hippy crack” is included in the new law.

Why are they dangerous?

Official figures, released last month, found that deaths linked to these legal drugs had more than tripled in just two years.

In total, 76 people died in the decade since 2004.

Campaigner Karen Vandersypen, whose son Jimmy Guichard, 20, suffered a heart attack and brain damage after smoking synthetic cannabis, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are absolutely delighted this has come into effect.

“It is just such a shame we have paid such a high price for having it there.”

Councillor Simon Blackburn, of the Local Government Association, deemed the drugs a “scourge on society (which) shatter lives”.

He added: “The new blanket ban on psychoactive substances should help to reduce anti-social behaviour linked to their use, which has been harming communities and blighting town and city centres for residents and visitors for too long.”

Which drugs aren’t included?

Poppers, a drug commonly used during gay sex, remains legal – after a last-minute exclusion from the legislation.

As does nicotine, alcohol and a number of legitimate medical products.

Why has the Government introduced this law?

Minister Karen Bradley said: “Too many lives have been lost or ruined by the dangerous drugs formerly referred to as ‘legal highs’.

“That is why we have taken action to stamp out this brazen trade.

“The Psychoactive Substances Act sends a clear message - these drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we will not allow them to be sold in this country.”

Waht have Wiltshire Police said about the changes?

The laws will fundamentally change the way Wiltshire Police tackles drugs and will make new substances that appear on the market illegal more quickly than ever before.

Head of crime prevention Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “This new legislation is a very positive step forward. We are ready to enforce the new law and tackle the harm caused in communities by the sale and use of drugs. As with all drugs, our approach will be practical, proportionate and based on the individual circumstances.”

“We have a number of options available to enforce this legislation which include prohibition notices, premises notices, prohibition orders and premises orders all of which allow police and local authorities to require people to stop stocking, selling or supplying psychoactive substances."

"Officers have been given powers to stop and search people, vehicles (including vessels), enter and search premises in accordance with a warrant, and to seize and destroy psychoactive substances.

"A psychoactive substance is defined in the new law as a drug which is capable of affecting a person’s mental functioning or emotional state, but is not currently controlled as a class A, B or C drug. There has been little or no useful research into the short or long-term risks from human consumption of NPS and you really do not know what you are buying as they have widely different strengths and effects on different people. NPS can be highly addictive too.

"We are encouraging the public to let us know if they believe shops or other establishments are supplying psychoactive substances once the Act comes into force on 26 May 2016. This can be done by calling Wiltshire Police on 101. A partnership response to NPS is already being co-ordinated across Wiltshire."

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

If you are worried about drugs and want further confidential help and advice you can visit talktofrank.com or call FRANK on 0300 123 6600