Psychoactive Substances Bill

17 July 2013

Statement from Regional Public Health : Psychoactive Substances Bill

Regional Public Health and Wellington District Police are beginning education and monitoring visits to retailers after the Psychoactive Substances Bill 2013 has come into force.

The Act brings in a new regulatory regime to manage the manufacture, sale, supply and distribution of these substances. This includes the need for substances to be approved for sale, restrictions on who can sell approved substances, and age restrictions on who can buy and possess the substances.

Regional Public Health and Police will be conducting visits to retailers in identified high-risk areas including Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley to encourage compliance before enforcement action is taken.

Regional Public Health Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jill McKenzie, says "We have received feedback from parents, community providers and emergency departments regarding adverse reactions to these psychoactive substances including psychotic episodes, ongoing mental health issues and insomnia. Restricting the availability of these substances will reduce the number of associated hospital emergency department admissions."

Inspector Terry van Dillen, Wellington District Prevention Manager, says "The community has been concerned about the impact these substances are having on our young people".

"We want to ensure rapid compliance with the new legislation so we can prevent further harm to our communities".

Retailers need to be aware that approved psychoactive products are not permitted to be sold in dairies, supermarkets, service stations and anywhere that has a licence to sell alcohol.

Advertising and labelling on psychoactive products will be strictly controlled and all products for sale must have health warnings.

No-one under the age of 18 years is able to purchase or possess psychoactive substances, and it is an offence for this age group to possess these substances.

Further information about the new legislation and offences is available on the Ministry of Health website:
http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/new-regulatory-regime-psychoactive-substances

ENDS

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