‘Legal high’ drugs are now banned

Party goers who are considering experimenting with a range of drugs previously known as ‘legal highs’ should be aware that from today, they have been added to the  Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Club drugs Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL),  Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and sytnthetic cannabinoids are now no longer legal to use.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “We are cracking down on so called ‘legal highs’ which are an emerging threat, particularly to young people. That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from today with ground- breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds.

The message is being sent out ahead of the festive season to warn youngsters against experimenting with them, particularly GBL which does carry the risk of death.

The Government will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of the drugs through the FRANK campaign.

Tim Hollis, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on drugs, is warning that enforcement will be used to focus on people who continue to peddle the drugs.

He said:  “Police are all too well aware of the harms caused in local communities, particularly to young people, by these drugs and we support the decision taken by the Home Office to clearly spell this out.