Editorial: Danger of legal highs

People are turning to synthetic highs so they pass work place drug tests.

More Western Bay drug addicts are turning to synthetic highs to pass workplace drug tests, reports Lydia Anderson today on page 5.

The dangerous nature of these drugs is well documented. Bay Counselling and Therapy Service Counsellor Rachel Hamilton says the synthetics cause damage in a short time, with people becoming hooked and suffering illnesses such as depression.

Earlier this year, some legal highs were pulled off shelves after users reported adverse health affects. In January, we reported that Tauranga Hospital has dealt with patients for whom the substances triggered a psychotic episode.

Hamilton says young people are using synthetic highs, who might not have tried illegal drugs.

Do we need any more evidence these products are becoming a scourge in the community?

I was amazed to learn legal highs are being legally sold in a residential street in Gate Pa while the business owner's licence is under consideration. If granted, this would be disastrous for the community.

The point of last year's law change was to introduce controls on the sale of the substances. The residential seller says he is doing it discreetly, away from churches and schools. But Gate Pa is home to several Bay schools.

He says his customers include professionals and terminally ill cancer patients. My view is that this is his attempt to try to legitimise his business. He says he is not hiding but did not want his name published.

Under the Psychoactive Substances Act a council can create a policy to control the location of premises selling psychoactive substances, and their proximity to sensitive community facilities.

Tauranga City Council mayor Stuart Crosby said Tauranga Council was not looking to formulate a policy as it was waiting for the Government to finalise laws.

But Western Bay of Plenty mayor Ross Paterson said regulating the industry as much as possible was the new council's top priority and he's urging the community to have its say via submissions on his draft Psychoactive Substances By-Law, which proposes limiting the location of legal high retailers. Paterson is to be applauded for his proactive approach and Tauranga Council should follow suit.