The community needs to be constantly reminded of the real dangers of psychoactive substances and make it clear to the Government that a ban is the only effective means of stopping their sale and distribution.
That was the message from Wanganui district councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan, a staunch advocate of having the legal highs banned.
She was speaking after a central city rally on Saturday which joined with other cities and towns around the country calling for a blanket ban. Mrs Baker-Hogan organised the rally with Tupoho iwi leader Ken Mair.
She said it was apparent people are unhappy the Government had effectively "palmed off" responsibility for controlling legal highs on to local authorities.
"It's already costing communities, health and social agencies around the country but we've been given no resources at all," she said.
"I'm not saying the Government is not doing anything because they've created legislation. But frankly it's their job, not ours."
She said the rally attracted about 50 people and speakers included Whanganui MP Chester Borrows, Mayor Annette Main and Labour Party candidate Hamish McDouall.
"What people need to understand is there are agencies in Wanganui already working with people directly affected by these drugs. And I've been to seminars where the Ministry of Health senior medical officer has stated that psychoactive substances should be banned," she said.
"But there is a growing awareness of the extent of this problem and the damage legal highs can cause."
She said Saturday's rally made it very clear that nobody wants legal highs available in Wanganui.
"They're addictive and dangerous and affecting our most vulnerable youth in particular."
She and Mr Mair called for MPs, community leaders and members of the public to keep up the pressure and make submissions to council's local approved product policy (LAPP), which will be completed in August.
"The LAPP will give our council ability to restrict the ability of these retailers to profit from dangerous, mind-bending substances in Wanganui," they said.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, who promoted the Psychoactive Substances Act, said a total ban might work on products known to exist, but a blanket ban on yet-to-be-developed substances "would be very difficult to implement and enforce".
He said any such ban would also have the effect of generating significant black market activity and use of more harmful substances, with none of the public health measures offered in a regulated environment.
The Act had been "very effective" in substantially reducing the number of psychoactive products as well as access to those products.
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton is another civic leader who said councils were being forced to deal with the problem after being "hung out to dry" by the Government.
He hoped the nationwide protests might spur Mr Dunne to start listening to the people.