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| 'Legal high' drugs banned in UK | 'Legal high' drugs banned in UK |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A ban on several drugs known as "legal highs" has come into force. | A ban on several drugs known as "legal highs" has come into force. |
| The substances, including GBL and BZP, become Class C drugs, with a possible two-year jail sentence for possession. | The substances, including GBL and BZP, become Class C drugs, with a possible two-year jail sentence for possession. |
| Ministers moved to classify them after a recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and fears they are a threat to user health. | Ministers moved to classify them after a recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and fears they are a threat to user health. |
| GBL was linked to the death of medical student Hester Stewart, 21, in Brighton last April. Her mother, Maryon, campaigned nationally for the ban. | GBL was linked to the death of medical student Hester Stewart, 21, in Brighton last April. Her mother, Maryon, campaigned nationally for the ban. |
| So-called legal highs are typically man-made chemical substances designed to act like banned drugs. | So-called legal highs are typically man-made chemical substances designed to act like banned drugs. |
| "Joey" describes the effects of the cannabis-like substance, Spice | "Joey" describes the effects of the cannabis-like substance, Spice |
| Scientists, officials and police officers have been concerned for several years that GBL, BZP and other so-called "legal highs" have been sold openly across Britain and on the internet, despite evidence that they can be harmful to health. | Scientists, officials and police officers have been concerned for several years that GBL, BZP and other so-called "legal highs" have been sold openly across Britain and on the internet, despite evidence that they can be harmful to health. |
| GBL, which metabolises in the body into the already banned drug GHB, will become a Class C drug carrying maximum jail terms of two years for possession and 14 years for supply. | GBL, which metabolises in the body into the already banned drug GHB, will become a Class C drug carrying maximum jail terms of two years for possession and 14 years for supply. |
| Piperazines, of which BZP is the most popular, are also being made Class C drugs. | Piperazines, of which BZP is the most popular, are also being made Class C drugs. |
| This group of drugs is popular on the club scene as an alternative to ecstasy and amphetamines. | This group of drugs is popular on the club scene as an alternative to ecstasy and amphetamines. |
| Synthetic cannabis has also been banned and become a Class B drug. Possession of products such as "spice", a herbal mixture laced with psycho-active chemicals, now carries a maximum five-year jail term. | Synthetic cannabis has also been banned and become a Class B drug. Possession of products such as "spice", a herbal mixture laced with psycho-active chemicals, now carries a maximum five-year jail term. |
| Fifteen anabolic steroids, associated with drug abuse in sport, have also been classified as Class C. | Fifteen anabolic steroids, associated with drug abuse in sport, have also been classified as Class C. |
| Police chiefs say their response will be proportionate and focused on dealers. | Police chiefs say their response will be proportionate and focused on dealers. |
| Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the government was committed to raising awareness of the dangers of psychoactive substances through its Frank campaign, but also wanted to send a clear message to those thinking of using the drugs. | Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the government was committed to raising awareness of the dangers of psychoactive substances through its Frank campaign, but also wanted to send a clear message to those thinking of using the drugs. |
| "We are cracking down on so-called 'legal highs' which are an emerging threat, particularly to young people," said Mr Johnson. | "We are cracking down on so-called 'legal highs' which are an emerging threat, particularly to young people," said Mr Johnson. |
| "That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from today with ground- breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds." | "That is why we are making a range of these substances illegal from today with ground- breaking legislation which will also ban their related compounds." |
| Crack substitute | Crack substitute |
| Scientists at the Forensic Science Service laboratories have recently discovered that drug dealers in London have been using one of the newly-banned drugs to manufacture fake "crack cocaine". | Scientists at the Forensic Science Service laboratories have recently discovered that drug dealers in London have been using one of the newly-banned drugs to manufacture fake "crack cocaine". |
| The effects of GBL and BZP | The effects of GBL and BZP |
| Dean Ames of the FSS said: "We occasionally see materials that appear to be crack cocaine, that end up being innocuous substances [such as] candlewax as crack cocaine. | Dean Ames of the FSS said: "We occasionally see materials that appear to be crack cocaine, that end up being innocuous substances [such as] candlewax as crack cocaine. |
| "But, quite recently, we have seen a new form of drug that has been submitted to us that actually contains piperazines and would resemble a crack cocaine-type substance." | "But, quite recently, we have seen a new form of drug that has been submitted to us that actually contains piperazines and would resemble a crack cocaine-type substance." |
| Piperazines were first developed as a worming agent and are also used in some manufacturing processes. The FSS says "legal highs" based on the chemical have become more prevalent than ecstasy. | Piperazines were first developed as a worming agent and are also used in some manufacturing processes. The FSS says "legal highs" based on the chemical have become more prevalent than ecstasy. |
| Friday's ban is unlikely to be the last. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will next year consider a new wave of so-called "legal highs", which are based on a group of chemicals known as cathinones. | Friday's ban is unlikely to be the last. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will next year consider a new wave of so-called "legal highs", which are based on a group of chemicals known as cathinones. |
| However, the recent controversy over the sacking of the council's chairman, Professor David Nutt, and the subsequent resignation of council members in protest, could mean any final recommendations are delayed. | However, the recent controversy over the sacking of the council's chairman, Professor David Nutt, and the subsequent resignation of council members in protest, could mean any final recommendations are delayed. |
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