Police chiefs: "legal high" changes are a positive step forward

National Policing Lead for New Psychoactive Substances, Commander Simon Bray said: 

“The new legislation proposed today is a very positive step forward. It highlights the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement, including the police, in their efforts to combat dangerous drugs. A blanket ban on new psychoactive substances (NPS) will make it simpler to deal with those drugs which are unsafe but which 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.
 
“Police forces, the National Crime Agency, trading standards and other organisations are already working hard to tackle the supply of controlled and non-controlled NPS but are doing so without the full range of measures that these proposals bring about.

“NPS cannot be addressed by enforcement alone, so we welcome the prevention and education measures which are being proposed. Above all, the proposal for a 'blanket ban' will make it harder for untested and harmful substances to reach young people and will make it easier for the police and other agencies to enforce the law.”