Minister welcomes ‘legal high’ progress
TOUR OF CITY BRINGS PRAISE FOR FORCE’S EFFORTS
THE government minister in charge of the crackdown on so-called legal highs has toured Newcastle to see the impact of tough new laws.
Earlier this year a blanket ban on the production, supply and importation of psychoactive substances – commonly known as legal highs – was introduced.
Previously the substances could be sold openly as legislation did not specifically ban them.
Though the act does not criminalise possession, it does make it illegal to have the drugs with an intention to supply them to others, or to import them.
Since the law was introduced, Northumbria Police has arrested 11 people in connection with the sale of psychoactive substances while nine shops are no longer selling them. Sarah Newton, minister for safeguarding, vulnerability and countering extremism, said: “These dangerous drugs have already cost far too many lives. I’m encouraged to see that – three months in – police are using their new powers to take dealers off our streets and that so many retailers have been denied the chance to profit from this reckless trade. “The Psychoactive Substances Act is sending out a clear message – this government will take whatever action is necessary to keep our families and communities safe. These drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we will not allow them to be sold in this country.” Those found flouting the ban face years behind bars. The new powers allow anyone involved in the supply, production, possession with intent to supply, importation or exportation of a psychoactive substance to be jailed for seven years. Anyone found with the illicit substances in prison face extended time inside and any shops caught selling them face being shut down.
Northumbria Police’s Chief Insp Dave Picket warned anyone thinking of peddling the drugs on our streets.
He said: “The act has been very successful since it was introduced on May 26.
“We work closely with our partners to target the people causing most harm by selling these substances and we share information with our partners to help those addicted to these drugs and keep them safe.”
In what is thought to be the first psychoactive substances raid of its kind in the country, police swooped on a house in Wallsend in June.
They seized a large stash of synthetic cannabis, along with cash, knives, a knuckle duster and suspected stolen goods.
Anyone with information about people involved in the drug trade is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.