Customs and Immigration chief Rob Prow with some of the substances covered by the new law. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0867137)
ISLANDERS will not be arrested for importing legal highs, even after the new law comes in this week.
But from Saturday, drugs such as Spice or Toot will be confiscated as they enter the island.
Customs and Immigration chief officer Rob Prow said it would take time to see how the law would be enforced.
‘If the drugs are sent in a parcel, we will seize them, but we won’t investigate the incident during the initial stages,’ he said.
‘However, if it becomes a repeat offence or if there are commercial quantities, then we will look into it.’
The law will focus on four main categories of drugs, which include the psychotropic compounds found in cannabinoids such as Spice, Toot and Charge.
Mr Prow said the list would be updated if new drugs emerged.
‘We have identified the substances which cause harm,’ he said.
‘The drugs do change and can be disguised with different compounds, but the new law states the drugs and any compound derived from that drug are illegal, so this will cover changes. If a new product appears, we will identify it and see if it needs to be added to the list.’
Mr Prow said this ban would be easier to enforce than the present situation.
‘Currently, we have to find evidence of people commercially importing and exporting legal highs to prosecute them,’ he said. ‘Now we can seize any substance, which makes it a lot simpler to enforce.’
He said the drugs mainly came into the island by post.
‘They are often sold on the internet and arrive in very recognisable packing,’ said Mr Prow.
‘That makes them relatively easy to detect.’
While Customs will be focusing on the postal route into the island, Mr Prow said they would also be keeping an eye on the airport and harbour.
Drug and Alcohol Strategy coordinator Andrea Nightingale said the change in the law was important.
‘Since the ban on commercial importations in April this year, there has been an increase in private importation from online shops,’ she said.
‘These products are being labelled as bath salts, plant foods and research chemicals, with many of them also marked as not for human consumption.
‘However, this has not deterred importers from using them without knowing the full short-term and long-term health implications.’
There has been an increase in the number of regular users suffering health problems such as weight loss, depression and paranoia.
These health problems have led to the Health and Social Services spending more than £400,000 this year on off-island treatment. The department has predicted that the total cost for on and off-island treatment this year could reach £1.2m.
‘By imposing an importation and exportation ban on the main active ingredients identified as being at the forefront of the legal high phenomenon, it is hoped that the rising trend of mental and physical health issues associated with their misuse may be stemmed,’ said Mrs Nightingale.
It is still legal to possess the products.
There are four main categories of legal highs that are being banned:
- Psychotropic substances often found in synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice.
- The substance 1-Benzylpiperazine, or BZP, and its related compounds.
- A variety of psychotropic substances such as mephedrone, 3-FMC, methylone, butylone and MDPV, which are found in F1, F2, Toot and Charge.
- The substances gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD).
Article posted on 5th November, 2009 - 11.30am
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