Psychoactive Substances on the “come down” in South Wales

Psychoactive substances are any substances that intend or capable of producing a psychoactive effect on the consumer. This excludes legitimate substances, such as food, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine, medical products and poppers. The psychoactive substances act will provide a blanket ban on the production, supply and importation of new psychoactive substances. This legislation will fundamentally change the way police forces tackle psychoactive substances.

Detective Chief Inspector for South Wales Police, Jason Redrup said:

“The new legislation will target those who presently sell these potentially lethal substances and provides the police with greater powers to take action against those who produce or supply them.

“In the build up to the change in law, we have been working with suppliers of Psychoactive Substances throughout South Wales, keeping them involved in the process and fully aware of the ramifications of the new act.

“The change in legislation will go a long way to reduce the availability of often dangerous substances to users. Working with our partners we want to ensure that South Wales continues to be a safe place to live and work.”

Psychoactive substances mimic the effect of controlled drugs and are not safe to take. South Wales Police wants to remind people that after the change in legislation it will be illegal to sell psychoactive substances. If caught you could face up to seven years in prison.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for New Psychoactive Substances(NPS), Commander Simon Bray said:

“This new legislation is a very positive step forward. It highlights the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement, including the police, in our efforts to combat dangerous drugs. A blanket ban on new psychoactive substances will make it simpler to deal with those drugs which are unsafe but may not yet be controlled. It will also make it easier to tackle so called ‘legal highs’ which may contain mixtures including already illegal drugs.”

• From 26th May 2016 it will be illegal to sell psychoactive substances often referred to as “legal highs” and you could face up to seven years in prison.
• From 26th May 2016 it will be an offence to produce, sell, import or export psychoactive substances.
• Psychoactive substances are any substances intended for human consumption that is capable of producing a psychoactive effect excluding legitimate substances, such as food, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, caffeine and medical products.
• The new law will be enforced by South Wales Police, Trading Standards and other partner organisations.
• When legislation is in place it is illegal to buy NPS from online headshops. If you do purchase Psychoactive Substances online it could be sourced from another country. This could result in importation charges and up to seven years in prison.
• Once this ban is imposed giving NPS to friends could result in supply charges.
• Illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy will continue to be controlled under the misuse of drugs act.

South Wales Police welcomes the new bill and will work closely with local authorities, schools and charities and plan to take an educational and preventative approach when when implementing this new legislation.

For those who want help or more information about the law change contact DAN24/7 on 0808 808 2234. This helpline is free and offers confidential advice on drugs.

Once the ban is imposed it will be an offence to posses a Psychoactive Substance in a custodial establishment. This includes, young offender institutions, secure training centres, immigration detention facilities, police and court custody suites, customs custody facilities and military detention.