New bill to close loopholes in 'legal high' laws

A new bill will make it illegal to make or sell any new psychoactive substances Credit: PA

Some drug charities in Wales say banning legal highs will only drive the drugs underground.

A new bill will make it illegal to make or sell any new psychoactive substances.

It follows a spate of deaths and hospital admissions involving users across Wales.

Audrey Carmichael, a forensic scientist, says the people making 'legal highs' are very up-to-date with legislation.

Sellers of so-called legal highs and other psychoactive drugs could face up to seven years in prison under tough new laws published today. Under the Psychoactive Substances Bill, police will also be able to shut down websites that sell these drugs.

The new rules will introduce a blanket ban on the production, distribution, sale and supply of legal highs - officially known as new psychoactive substances (NPSs). Under previous rules, new substances had to be assessed individually before being banned, while manufacturers were to come up with new versions to replace older ones.

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