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Is there a solution to the UK's 'legal high' drugs problem? | Is there a solution to the UK's 'legal high' drugs problem? |
(40 minutes later) | |
For the mother of Michael Bishton, who died after taking the "legal high" Ivory Wave, banning such drugs is the only solution to the UK's problem. | For the mother of Michael Bishton, who died after taking the "legal high" Ivory Wave, banning such drugs is the only solution to the UK's problem. |
"How can you just go and buy these things that do these things to families? | "How can you just go and buy these things that do these things to families? |
"It's an insult to the memory of my son", Tamsin Owen said at his inquest. | "It's an insult to the memory of my son", Tamsin Owen said at his inquest. |
Legal highs are "far from harmless", the Home Office says. They are easy to purchase over the internet and the effects are largely unknown. | Legal highs are "far from harmless", the Home Office says. They are easy to purchase over the internet and the effects are largely unknown. |
Although substances can be banned, new compounds are developed. They remain legal as a variant is technically a different drug. | Although substances can be banned, new compounds are developed. They remain legal as a variant is technically a different drug. |
The UK's Misuse of Drugs Act now covers over 600 drugs and the number is growing. | The UK's Misuse of Drugs Act now covers over 600 drugs and the number is growing. |
In the year the 1961 Act turns 40, critics are concerned whether "the existing framework is fit for purpose in the 21st Century". | In the year the 1961 Act turns 40, critics are concerned whether "the existing framework is fit for purpose in the 21st Century". |
Traces of alcohol and Ivory Wave were found in 24-year-old Mr Bishton's bloodstream after he fell off an Isle of Wight cliff. | Traces of alcohol and Ivory Wave were found in 24-year-old Mr Bishton's bloodstream after he fell off an Isle of Wight cliff. |
At Tuesday's inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict but said the combination "may have been a very strong contributory factor to his behaviour". | At Tuesday's inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict but said the combination "may have been a very strong contributory factor to his behaviour". |
Meow meow | Meow meow |
Ivory Wave is a drug brand name, which can contain different substance variants. | Ivory Wave is a drug brand name, which can contain different substance variants. |
Traces of banned 2-DPMP have sometimes been found in Ivory Wave. | Traces of banned 2-DPMP have sometimes been found in Ivory Wave. |
It has also contained mephedrone. | It has also contained mephedrone. |
This drug, dubbed meow meow by the tabloid press, was a legal high that caused a media frenzy in 2009 and 2010. | This drug, dubbed meow meow by the tabloid press, was a legal high that caused a media frenzy in 2009 and 2010. |
After multiple deaths were claimed to be linked to the drug, then Home Secretary Alan Johnson passed emergency legislation classifying the substance as a Class B drug. | After multiple deaths were claimed to be linked to the drug, then Home Secretary Alan Johnson passed emergency legislation classifying the substance as a Class B drug. |
Last week, Home Office minister Baroness Browning wrote to festival organisers warning them about people claiming to be selling legal highs. | Last week, Home Office minister Baroness Browning wrote to festival organisers warning them about people claiming to be selling legal highs. |
"While people selling these products may give the impression they are legal and safe, they are more than likely not legal, and are certainly not safe." | "While people selling these products may give the impression they are legal and safe, they are more than likely not legal, and are certainly not safe." |
The government's solution, currently going through parliament, is a temporary 12-month ban for new substances. | The government's solution, currently going through parliament, is a temporary 12-month ban for new substances. |
This criminalises dealing and gives authorities time to research the effects of drugs. | This criminalises dealing and gives authorities time to research the effects of drugs. |
Minister for crime prevention James Brokenshire said: "The drugs market is changing and we need to adapt current laws to allow us to act more quickly | Minister for crime prevention James Brokenshire said: "The drugs market is changing and we need to adapt current laws to allow us to act more quickly |
"The temporary ban allows us to act straight away to stop new substances gaining a foothold in the market." | "The temporary ban allows us to act straight away to stop new substances gaining a foothold in the market." |
'Paradoxical situation' | 'Paradoxical situation' |
However the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD) does not believe the government has time to research the growing number of drugs. | |
Data presented to the ISCD showed 40 new synthetic substances were identified last year. In 2009, 24 new substances were identified. | Data presented to the ISCD showed 40 new synthetic substances were identified last year. In 2009, 24 new substances were identified. |
Professor David Nutt, from the ISCD, said: "One of the dangers of so-called legal highs is that it is impossible for consumers to know what it is they are taking. | Professor David Nutt, from the ISCD, said: "One of the dangers of so-called legal highs is that it is impossible for consumers to know what it is they are taking. |
"This also makes it difficult for legislation banning them to be effective. | "This also makes it difficult for legislation banning them to be effective. |
"The unknown nature of these substances puts us in a paradoxical situation where legal highs might be more dangerous to take than already classified drugs." | "The unknown nature of these substances puts us in a paradoxical situation where legal highs might be more dangerous to take than already classified drugs." |
A report published this month by think-tank Demos, "Taking Drugs Seriously", was also critical of the government's approach. It questioned whether law "is fit for purpose in the 21st Century". | A report published this month by think-tank Demos, "Taking Drugs Seriously", was also critical of the government's approach. It questioned whether law "is fit for purpose in the 21st Century". |
The authors believe temporary bans will become permanent, as any removal could be seen as labelling the substance safe. | The authors believe temporary bans will become permanent, as any removal could be seen as labelling the substance safe. |
They argue maintaining separate "drugs" law from substances such as alcohol or tobacco is misguided. | They argue maintaining separate "drugs" law from substances such as alcohol or tobacco is misguided. |
"Some suggest that this has led to confusing public health messages, for example, suggesting that alcohol and tobacco are not as harmful as illicit substances," the report said. | "Some suggest that this has led to confusing public health messages, for example, suggesting that alcohol and tobacco are not as harmful as illicit substances," the report said. |
The UK's consumption of alcohol has increased by 19% over 30 years, an NHS report found last year. | The UK's consumption of alcohol has increased by 19% over 30 years, an NHS report found last year. |
Legal highs fit into a wider and politically charged debate. | Legal highs fit into a wider and politically charged debate. |
Responses to drug regulation have tended to fall into binary choices of strict drug control or legalisation. | Responses to drug regulation have tended to fall into binary choices of strict drug control or legalisation. |
Professor Nutt's own career demonstrates the political stakes. | Professor Nutt's own career demonstrates the political stakes. |
In 2009 he was sacked as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for saying alcohol was more dangerous than cannabis. | In 2009 he was sacked as chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for saying alcohol was more dangerous than cannabis. |
For a grieving mother, the need to criminalise legal highs is clear. It will take a brave scientist or politician to persuade Ms Owen otherwise. | For a grieving mother, the need to criminalise legal highs is clear. It will take a brave scientist or politician to persuade Ms Owen otherwise. |
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