ON THE BEAT
Withinspector
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 took effect from May 26.
This means police now have new powers to tackle the production, supply and importation/ exportation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
The UK wide legislation aims to tackle the harm posed by these substances which are marketed inaccurately as ‘legal highs’. The consumption of NPS has been linked to a number of deaths in the UK.
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 does not replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 but it will work alongside to complement it. The new legislation will: Make it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export psychoactive substances; that is, any substance intended for human consumption that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect. The maximum sentence will be seven years imprisonment.
●Exclude legitimate substances, such as food, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine and medical products, from the scope of the offence, as well as controlled drugs, which will continue to be regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
●Exempt specific activities, such as healthcare professionals and those undertaking approved research, who may have a legitimate need to use psychoactive substances in their work
●Provide powers to stop and search persons, vehicles and vessels, enter and search premises in accordance with a warrant, and to seize and destroy psychoactive substances.
This new legislation provides us