Parliament is now discussing a Bill to tackle so-called 'legal highs' that frequently contain illegal substances and have already claimed the lives of far too many people in our country.
The substances in question produce similar effects to illegal drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy, but are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. They cannot be sold for human consumption, but are often sold as bath salts or plant food to get round the law. Existing legislation only allows substances to be banned one by one.
Three people have died in Kent as a result of taking the drugs, and across the nation they were linked to the deaths of 68 people in 2012.
Young people who take these substances are taking exceptional risks with their health and those who profit from their sale have a complete disregard for the potential consequences. That's why I am pleased the Government is targeting the suppliers.
A Trading Standards raid assisted by Kent Police on the Bong Shop in Margate last July found 269 banned items and confiscated 52 varieties of legal high and herbal tobacco substitutes from the High Street “head shop” for further inspection. A court case in December subsequently saw these New Psychoactive Substances permanently removed from use.
The government has already taken a range of action against so-called 'legal highs', including banning more than 500 new drugs and creating the Forensic Early Warning System to detect substances not seen before in the UK. There is also ongoing work to enhance the response to prevention, treatment and information sharing.
The Psychoactive Substances Bill will make it an offence to produce or supply 'legal highs' and introduce a maximum prison sentence of seven years for this. This will restrict their supply and ensuring that people have less opportunity to get them. It will also give powers to the police to seize and destroy 'legal highs'. The landmark bill will fundamentally change the way we tackle new psychoactive substances - and put an end to the game of cat and mouse in which new drugs appear on the market more quickly than government can identify and ban them.
Craig Mackinlay said, “Through my previous work as a magistrate, I am only too familiar with the danger of drugs in our society. 'Legal highs' have subverted sensible drug control policy for years and their use and evolution has been accelerating over recent years. I am, at heart, a libertarian, but I welcome this new Bill as the dangers, particularly to the young, are simply too high.”