UK - Legal highs ban moves closer

[chillinwill]

IMPORTING some legal highs for personal use could soon be banned, according to Customs chief officer Rob Prow.

After outlawing the commercial importation of legal highs in April, the Health and Social Services and Home departments, Drug and Alcohol Strategy and health professionals are now reviewing the situation regarding personal use.

‘It is highly likely that blanket prohibitions on importation will be considered for products found to be the most harmful and that some constituents will, in time, find their way on to controlled drug schedules,’ said Mr Prow.

Guernsey’s Customs and Immigration Service is taking part in the Early Warning System, an EU working group that seeks to identify emerging drugs of concern.

It reports its findings to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

The substances causing most concern are Spice, mephedrone, khat, salvia divinorum and chloro phenyl piperazine (CPP). All are freely available to order on the internet.

‘Each substance will be considered locally and, if deemed appropriate, legislation such as the Misuse of Drugs Law or the Import and Export of Goods (Control) Order may be utilised to implement appropriate restrictions,’ said Mr Prow.

By Nicci Martel
July 31, 2009
The Guernsey Press
http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2009/0...-moves-closer/