Focus now must go on 'legal high' addicts

Manurewa Civic Leaders are saying that the focus must now go on 'legal high' addicts as the products are set to come off the shelf from tomorrow. The Government passed under urgency yesterday the Psychoactive Substances Act Amendment Bill to take all current Approved Products off the shelf until they can be proved to be of a 'low risk'.

Angela Dalton, the Chair of the Manurewa Local Board says her concern remains on those who are addicted to 'legal highs' and ensuring that they have the support needed to come off these products without the need to transfer to something harder.

"The quick exit of these products was always going to have a number of unintended consequences. We need to prepare the best we can to support the users of these substances as they come off them." Says Ms Dalton.

“We will be working to support addiction services, the police, and other agencies in our communities as they deal with the consequences of today's law change, I am looking to the DHB for some leadership in this area”

“Just because the Government is changing the law, doesn’t mean we can be complacent. People addicted to these substances may move to other illegal substances, and the synthetic cannabis industry could now move underground. These will present a range of issues to our community, and the priority must be to continue to support those who are most vulnerable.”

Manurewa Local Board Deputy-Chair Simeon Brown says he is looking forward to the substances coming off the shelves tomorrow, and says the Board will be continuing to advocate for Auckland Council to put in place a Local Approved Products Policy for these substances.

“The question is not if, but when, these substances come back in some other form, and gain approval to be sold once again on our streets in Approved Product retailers premises.” Says Mr Brown.

“We need to continue to work to ensure Auckland Council puts in place a Local Approved Product Policies as soon as possible to dictate where these products should be sold, and where they can’t, and the Government needs to continue work on the Psychoactive Substances Regulations.”

ENDS

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