26/05/2016
Legal Highs Ban Comes Into Force Across The UK
A blanket ban on so-called legal highs has come into force in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Dealers in the psychoactive substances will also face up to seven years in prison .
The blanket ban on the sale, supply, importation and exportation of the dangerous drugs will apply across the UK whenever they are intended for human consumption.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "For too long, those involved in the production, distribution and sale of lethal highs have been allowed to wreak havoc with the lives of young people and their families through their toxic trade.
"The introduction of a tough new legislative framework means that those who peddle in this misery can no longer make small modifications to the chemical composition of psychoactive substances to escape the purview of existing bans. Blanket bans are always a measure of last resort but in these circumstances it is fully justified to safeguard the health and lives of so many young people.
"It is now imperative that we see robust enforcement of the new legislation."
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: "Legal highs are a scourge on society and shatter lives. People using these intoxicating substances are putting their lives, and those of others, at risk by consuming these untested chemicals which can have devastating and unpredictable consequences, including death.
"From today 'legal highs' will be as illegal as drugs banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act that they tried to mimic. 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.
"Councils have made every effort to crack down on these substances and the unscrupulous traders selling them, which has seen so-called ‘head shops' closed down, intoxicating substances seized, on-the-spot fines issued and successful prosecutions.
"However, this work relied on laws designed for very different purposes, making it much harder for councils and the police to tackle the problem.
"Councils have long called for new powers to stop the sale of new psychoactive substances. This blanket ban emphasises the dangers these substances pose and anyone caught producing, distributing, selling or supplying them could now receive a prison sentence, which should serve as a strong deterrent."
(CD)
Dealers in the psychoactive substances will also face up to seven years in prison .
The blanket ban on the sale, supply, importation and exportation of the dangerous drugs will apply across the UK whenever they are intended for human consumption.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "For too long, those involved in the production, distribution and sale of lethal highs have been allowed to wreak havoc with the lives of young people and their families through their toxic trade.
"The introduction of a tough new legislative framework means that those who peddle in this misery can no longer make small modifications to the chemical composition of psychoactive substances to escape the purview of existing bans. Blanket bans are always a measure of last resort but in these circumstances it is fully justified to safeguard the health and lives of so many young people.
"It is now imperative that we see robust enforcement of the new legislation."
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: "Legal highs are a scourge on society and shatter lives. People using these intoxicating substances are putting their lives, and those of others, at risk by consuming these untested chemicals which can have devastating and unpredictable consequences, including death.
"From today 'legal highs' will be as illegal as drugs banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act that they tried to mimic. 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.
"Councils have made every effort to crack down on these substances and the unscrupulous traders selling them, which has seen so-called ‘head shops' closed down, intoxicating substances seized, on-the-spot fines issued and successful prosecutions.
"However, this work relied on laws designed for very different purposes, making it much harder for councils and the police to tackle the problem.
"Councils have long called for new powers to stop the sale of new psychoactive substances. This blanket ban emphasises the dangers these substances pose and anyone caught producing, distributing, selling or supplying them could now receive a prison sentence, which should serve as a strong deterrent."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
20 March 2024
New £575,000 Immersive Technologies Challenge Fund Announced
A new £575,000 Augment the City Challenge Fund has been announced to support innovation in immersive technologies. Led by Belfast City Council's City Innovation Office and funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, the fund will open in April 2024, to support local SMEs to explore the future role of immersive technologies in visitor experiences.
New £575,000 Immersive Technologies Challenge Fund Announced
A new £575,000 Augment the City Challenge Fund has been announced to support innovation in immersive technologies. Led by Belfast City Council's City Innovation Office and funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, the fund will open in April 2024, to support local SMEs to explore the future role of immersive technologies in visitor experiences.
19 March 2024
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
13 March 2024
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
06 March 2024
New £9m Fund For New All-Island Bioeconomy Initiative
A new £9 million initiative has been announced to support the development of the all-island bioeconomy in the agriculture and marine sectors across Ireland.
New £9m Fund For New All-Island Bioeconomy Initiative
A new £9 million initiative has been announced to support the development of the all-island bioeconomy in the agriculture and marine sectors across Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.