WARRINGTON Council is backing the ban on the sale of ‘legal highs’ which comes in to force today (Thursday) while police are also seeking a special public protection order to prevent their use in the town centre.
From today it is illegal to sell or supply any psychoactive substance.
Pat Wright
Cllr Pat Wright, executive board member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “The abuse of psychoactive substances in Warrington has been clearly shown to be having a detrimental effect both on our residents and our communities.
“These substances are not safe for human consumption and the consequences for those taking them can be extremely serious and sometimes even fatal.
“Reported side effects include glazed eyes, slurred speech, sweating, dizziness, fainting, erratic behaviour, anxiety, palpitations and spasms. Effects should subside within an hour but if not or if worried, it’s important to seek medical attention.”
The term ‘legal’ implies that these substances are not as dangerous as controlled drugs they are designed to mimic their effects. In reality many do actually contain controlled substances, which are illegal, or controlled substances whose side effects cannot be predicted.
The new bill will give police the power to shut down shops who are trading in legal highs.
Possessing a psychoactive substance will not be an offence, except in a custodial institution. However possession with the intent to supply, import or export a psychoactive substance is now an offence.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Beauchamp, from Cheshire Police, said: “In Cheshire we are dealing with more incidents each year that involve the use of psychoactive substances. In the past three years incidents have risen by nearly 200 per cent.
“We have successfully used existing legislation to good effect, preventing shops in Warrington and Chester from selling these substances. This isn’t about criminalising those who use these substances, but aimed at the producers, distributors and dealers. Just because they’re known as ‘legal highs’ doesn’t mean to say they are safe, they are lethal.”
The council is offering the following support and advice.
•Anyone aged 13 – 19 can get specialist support and intervention from the Young Person’s Drug and Alcohol Team, Orford Youth Base, Capesthorne Road, 01925 851029
•Anyone aged 18 or over can access Pathways to Recovery, 14-16 Bold Street, 01925 416176
•Anyone affected by someone else’s substance misuse can get support from family support service Footsteps, the Gateway, Sankey Street, 01925 244524.
Meanwhile suppliers are being given the opportunity to surrender their stocks in a week-long hand in.
The hand-in will run from Thursday 26 May until midnight on Wednesday 1 June and allow people in Cheshire to safely dispose of these substances without fear of prosecution at their local police.
This legislation will fundamentally change the way Police tackle psychoactive substances and will make new drugs that appear on the market illegal quicker than ever before. It will give police the power to shut down shops that are trading in legal highs and it will also be an offence to import them, for instance buying them from a foreign website.
DCI Beauchamp added: “We have taken the rise in these substances and the harm they are causing seriously and have already used existing anti-social behaviour legislation to take action against premises selling them. Community Protection Notices have been served on a number of premises in Chester Warrington prohibiting them from selling and distributing ‘legal highs’.
A Public Space Protection Order is now in place preventing the use of any intoxicating substances, including ‘legal highs’ in Chester city centre and Warrington is in the process of applying for one in its town centre.
Some drugs marketed as legal highs actually contain some ingredients that are illegal to possess and carry very serious health risks. The chemicals they contain have in most cases never been used in drugs for human consumption before, so haven’t been tested to show that they are safe. Users can never be certain what they are taking and what effects they might have and are often labelled ‘not for human consumption’.
DCI Beauchamp concluded: “We will continue to work closely with our partners and use all the powers we have at our disposal to take positive action that will not only help prevent users of psychoactive substances from being seriously harmed but also to prevent others from the anti-social behaviour that is often linked to such use.
“We are committed to reducing the harm caused by all drugs, but cannot do this alone; prevention, education and health services all have a crucial role to play.”
If anyone has information regarding the sale or supply of psychoactive substances can call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
