June Campaign – New Psychoactive Substances Awareness
As festival season approaches, our June campaign focusses on the impact of new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Referred to in the media as ‘legal highs’, NPS continue to be a concern for health professionals, parents, and police forces across the country. This has been recognised by the UK government with the introduction of the recent Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
There is a large amount of confusion about NPS; namely many people falsely believe they are safe to use because they were legal to buy. So, what exactly are NPS?
- New psychoactive substances are designed to simulate the effects of other drugs such as cannabis and cocaine
- They can be purchased online or from specialist high street shops. China is the largest supplier
- They are marketed as research chemicals, plant food, or incense and usually have warning information on the packaging which states they are ‘not for human consumption’. This is how they were able to be legally sold
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 received its Royal Assent in January this year, and came into effect on Thursday 26 May.
The law now states:
- It is illegal to produce, import/export, supply or offer to supply any substance intended for human consumption which can produce psychoactive effects. The maximum prison sentence is 7 years
- It is not illegal to possess NPS. However, depending on the amount a person is in possession of, they could be prosecuted for intent to supply
- Legitimate products such as food, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, nicotine, and medicines are excluded from the law
- Controlled drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy will still be regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
- Police and can implement stop and search powers on either people or vehicles if they think they are in possession of NPS
Our educational sessions, health events, awareness assemblies and community health information displays help raise awareness of what NPS are within your school, college, community location or workplace.
This June, our displays are being used by Marston Green, Chelmsley Wood, Castle Bromwich and Kingshurst Library – a new booking for June! Employment Plus centres in Oldbury and Nechells, as well as Tudor Grange Academy and George Salter School have taken advantage of this free scheme. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!