Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes the Psychoactive Substances Act, which has come into force today
26th May 2016
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, has welcomed the Psychoactive Substances Act, which has come into force today. It will see a blanket ban on the production, distribution, sale and supply of legal highs which are intended for human consumption. She said:
“Time and time again I have been raising the matter of so-called legal highs with the Home Office – appealing for much stronger action against those who make and sell these products. Finally we have the act I have been waiting for – which will bring an end to the open sale of these harmful and addictive drugs on our streets.
“I welcome the new powers for law enforcement to tackle this issue, which will be of great benefit to our officers. We’ve been working hard with local partners as part of anti-sociable behaviour clampdowns in Sunderland and as part of a taskforce set up in Newcastle tackling the issue head on. Good progress is being made – but we’ve still got a way to go.
“These so-called ‘legal highs’ are not safe – it’s as simple as that and I remain fully committed to ensuring our officers do all they can to eradicate this abhorrent trade. The new tough sentences show how seriously the matter is being taken and we will do all we can to get those responsible before the courts and locked up.”
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