A drug and alcohol charity is training health and addiction professionals to deal with legal highs misuse as the problem grows.

CRI supports people who suffer problems as a result of abusing illegal substances.

But a rise in the use of legal highs has led to health workers increasingly encountering people badly affected by drugs deemed to be on the right side of the law.

Figures show that "novel psychoactive substances" were linked to 68 deaths in England and Wales in 2012, including at least one in Kent.

Bosses at the company hope the training sessions will equip staff with the skills and knowledge they need to deal with what they call a "rapidly changing landscape".

Spokesman Steve Fearns said: "Some of the tips we offer include avoiding using NPS if you've got mental health issues, to exercise caution when trying something new and not being on your own.

"Also, if you are going to use a legal high, don't take it all in one go and instead try to spread it out."

The firm hosted two training sessions to about 260 drug and alcohol professionals including community wardens, police, probation workers and prison staff.

More from the KM Group's High Time campaign

Among them was CRI's criminal justice team leader Jennie Steer, 36, from Sittingbourne, who said: "The session involved getting professionals into a room and basically giving them some knowledge about legal highs and the complications that can occur as a result of them.

"I feel much more up-to-date on current trends, definitely.

"It's becoming increasingly more of an issue and I think it's really important for staff and stakeholders to be aware of what's going on with them.

"There's new things coming on to the market constantly. It's a massive public health issue.

"The implications of these substances can be really serious so I think it's definitely about getting the message out there that even though they are legal highs, they can actually be very dangerous.

"We need to be up-to-date with the trends and what's out there and what people are doing. We're presented with new problems all the time so it's really important that we know what's up-and-coming and trendy in terms of the drug scene."

It is hoped further training will be offered at the company in the future, but bosses realise they are only "scratching the surface" of dealing with the problem.

CRI's legal highs adviser Michael Lawrence said: "What is so worrying is how little is known about these substances, yet they are quickly becoming the drug of choice for so many impressionable young people.

"This training was designed to arm staff with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate this often confusing and rapidly changing landscape.”

The project comes two months after officers from Kent Police and Kent County Council's trading standards department carried out raids on stores believed to be selling legal highs.

It led to 133 samples being taken – more than any other town in the county targeted by the action.

It also follows the KM Group's High Time campaign, which called for a clampdown on legal highs.