Angelus Foundation Launches New Legal Highs Education Film 'Vortex'

Angelus Foundation Launches New Legal Highs Education Film 'Vortex'

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' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efhh3n3S6ug ] 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






Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140722/697697-a


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140722/697697-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Angelus Foundation

CONTACT: If you wish to interview Jan King, please contact: Toks Ferguson at the Angelus Foundation on T: +44(0)203-700-7185 M: +44(0)7931-370025 E: Toksferguson@angelusfoundation.org.uk Or call Jeremy Sare on +44-(0)7747-727-993 with any other press inquiries (Jeremysare@angelusfoundation.org.uk)


-------
Profile: intent