The 111 Files: Now we can act on 'legal' highs

The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 is due to become law shortly, and will make it illegal for dairies or convenience stores to sell any psychoactive products, such as synthetic cannabis or party pills.

These products will be restricted for sale by specialised retailers, who will be licensed individually. The products will need to be approved for sale by a regulator and have a proven low level of harm for consumers.

We can't wait for this law to come into effect to restrict the sale of these products. We have seen some terrible incidents recently that our frontline staff have had to deal with. Some people have shown extreme aggression after consuming these products including serious assaults on other people for no apparent reason.

In another recent incident, a 15-year-old boy was spoken to in the Rotorua CBD after consuming K2. He was unsteady on his feet and as he was being spoken to fell flat on his face. An ambulance took him away to hospital. The hospital reports other admissions due to these products.

They are often marketed as "herbal" or "legal highs" but there is nothing natural or safe about them, in fact the potency or addictive potential can be many times higher than cannabis.

The police will work alongside smokefree enforcement officers appointed by the Ministry of Health to enforce the law. We will also conduct controlled purchases to check if stores are selling the products illegally, or to underage people.

I applaud the recent announcement that the Putaruru community has organised a voluntary ban of these products in their town. That community has obviously recognised the negative effects of these products and are making a stand to keep their community safe.

The challenge is for other communities to do the same.

- Inspector Ed Van Den Broek is the Rotorua police crime prevention manager.