The government put in place a blanket ban on novel psychoactive substances (NPS), formerly legal highs, at the beginning of May 2016. The Psychoactive Substances Act meant that it was no longer legal to buy these drugs online and in headshops. But what has the impact been nearly a year on?
A survey of the street drug market in Britain by DrugWise, an online drug information service, found that the act had succeeded in its headline goals: high street outlets selling these substances have been shut down.
However, the report found that as a result of the ban, NPSs have become just another street drug being sold by illicit dealers. Spice, a synthetic cannabinoid, in particular, has made headlines in recent weeks – with a crackdown on the supply of the drug in Manchester and problems with the drug reported elsewhere.
DrugWise say the continuing use of Spice among vulnerable street communities, including rising numbers of rough sleepers, is a cause for concern.
Share your experiences
So what are your views? We want to hear from drug workers, experts and those who used to buy these drugs about the impact of the ban. Has it been effective? Or do you feel it’s just driven the trade underground? If you are an addiction worker, do you see more or less people about NPS drugs now? Has the strength of these drugs changed at all since the ban? Should we be worried about some more than others? Have any new research chemicals popped up in their place? Share your stories and thoughts.
