Redbridge council may soon follow Lambeth’s example and implement legal high ban
The London borough of Redbridge may soon implement a ban on legal high drugs, according to an announcement made on Monday 25th August.
As of August 17th the London borough of Lambeth became the capital’s first borough to impose a ban on the use of the dangerous legal highs, including the drug nitrous oxide. Lambeth, in south London, approved the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order, which prohibits the use and provision of the drugs in public areas. This order is in effect across the entire borough and means that anyone caught breaking the ban could be fined up to £1,000.
Redbridge is considering whether to follow Lambeth’s example. The council leader, Jas Athwal (Labour), made the announcement at a forum meeting held at Fullwell Cross Library on Barkingside High Street.Councillor Athwal said: “I am looking at measures other boroughs are using to tackle this issue and am judging what the best way to deal with the dangers is. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel in what we implement but just make sure we prioritise the health of Redbridge residents. If neighbouring boroughs are doing something we can easily plagiarise, then we would consider it. If it is going to save someone’s life, then we can’t do it quickly enough.”
A legal high is a drug that acts as a stimulant and its ingredients can include mind-altering substances.