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See other news storiesGovernment to ban harmful ‘legal highs’
25 August 2009
Man-made chemicals which are sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice' and the chemical solvent GBL are two of the so called 'legal highs' to be banned by the end of the year, Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.
As part of the government’s commitment to tackle the emerging threat of so called 'legal highs', a new information campaign to educate young people on the dangers of a range of these substances was also announced today. The campaign, which will launch during the traditional student Freshers’ week in September, will highlight their dangers, particularly when they are mixed with alcohol.
Following public consultation on the options for the control of GBL under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the following substances will be banned, subject to parliamentary approval:
- Chemical solvent - GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) and a like chemical – which are converted in to the Class C drug GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body and often used as 'club drugs'. They will be controlled as Class C drugs and banned when intended for human consumption
- Synthetic cannabinoids - man-made chemicals sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice', which act on the body in a similar way to cannabis but can be far more potent, will be controlled as a Class B drug alongside cannabis
- BZP (Benzylpiperazine) and related piperazines, which are stimulants taken as an alternative to amphetamine, will be controlled as Class C drugs.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, 'There is a perception that many of the so called 'legal highs' are harmless, however in some cases people can be ingesting dangerous industrial fluids or smoking chemicals that can be even more harmful than cannabis.
'Legal highs are an emerging threat, particularly to young people, and we have a duty to educate them about the dangers. That’s why we are also launching a campaign in September to highlight the risks.'
The Chair of the ACMD, Professor David Nutt said, 'We welcome the government’s decision to accept our advice and bring GBL; BZP; 1,4-butanediol; synthetic cannabinoids and 24 anabolic steroids within the Misuse of Drugs Act.
'We made these recommendations as it is important to highlight that these are in fact dangerous drugs, especially when mixed with alcohol.
'The ACMD are continuing work on other 'legal highs' and will provide recommendations on separate drugs throughout the year, based on prevalence and harms.'
In addition, a further 24 anabolic steroids, testosterone-like products often used by sports people and increasingly being used by the general public to enhance physique and strength, and two growth promoters will be added to the list of steroids already controlled as Class C drugs. Finally, although there is no evidence of misuse in the UK but in accordance with our obligations under the UN Conventions, we will also seek to control the precursor Oripvaine as a Class C drug.
