Wales calls for ban on legal high drugs

Welsh councillors have called upon the UK government to implement a ban on the sale of legal high drugs.

Swansea councillors would like there to be a total ban on legal highs in Wales, similar to that adopted by the Republic of Ireland. A total ban on psychoactive ‒ mind-altering ‒ drugs has been implemented in the Republic, with specific exemptions, such as alcohol, being made.

Rob Stewart, Swansea council leader, said: “The police have very little powers stopping them being sold. We want to follow the Australian or Ireland models where we ban all legal highs. We favour the Ireland model. I would like Wales to adopt that.”

The feasibility of such a blanket ban for Wales and the rest of the UK is said to be under review by the Home Office. Its focus will be on the sellers of legal highs rather than those who use them. Swansea councillors have passed a motion for the other Welsh authorities to support them in their pursuit of a blanket ban on legal highs; however, the final decision on whether to implement such a ban will be made by the UK government.

An inquiry into the current situation regarding legal highs was launched last week by the Welsh Assembly’s health and social care committee. The enquiry is currently gathering evidence and has yet to reach any conclusions about how to deal with legal highs.