The Psychoactive Substances Bill was passed into law last week, applying to all of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The bill places a range of chemical substances — including so-called ‘legal highs’ — into a category that renders them illegal.
Legal highs have caused a number of problems in recent years, including some deaths. The chemicals have commonly been sold in clubs and passed around at parties. A legal high was a reference to a drug where the key ingredients were not on a list of banned substances; however, the drug produces the types of physiological and psychological effects caused by illegal substances. An example of a now banned substance is “Spice,” which is a laboratory-invented cannabis substitute.
Many of the former legal highs had been placed under a Temporary Class Drug Order, in preparation for the passing of the law. It is estimated that during 2015, there were 129 deaths in England, Scotland and Wales from substances on the list.
The focus with the bill was not so much on possession, but addressing the production, supply and importation of the drugs. Under the new legislation, those who attempt to supply or sell the banned substances face up to seven years in prison.
Quoted by Public Health England, they government Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation Karen Bradley, stated: “This landmark Psychoactive Substances Act will fundamentally change the way we tackle these drugs and put an end to unscrupulous suppliers profiting from their trade. Our message is clear: offenders will face up to seven years in prison.”
The police admit that the hardest aspect will be controlling Internet sales. This will be addressed by the U.K. National Crime Agency , who will focus on working with online industry together with international partners to close down websites that sell controlled psychoactive substances into the U.K. A second area of concern is with substances sold on the streets and the relationship with those pushing the drugs with organized crime.
The bill gained Royal Ascent on January 28, 2016 and it will become effective by April.
