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Archived Press Releases 2009 13th January 2009

Government must ensure safety of new designer drugs

(13th January 2009)

After being slow off the blocks in dealing with what became a "P" epidemic which we are still fighting, and not banning BZP until AFTER a lengthy period of testing, one has to wonder why the Government is not being more proactive in testing new designer drugs BEFORE (or at least as soon as) they come onto the market.

Christine Davey, Sensible Sentencing's spokesperson on Drug Issues, is puzzled by Ross Bell's stance on the current questionable drug "Spice". He is of the opinion that "we don't need to overreact simply because this drug has apparently been around for some time – and yet in the next breath he tells us of his concern that the substance may include dangerous chemicals."

Even the creator of this drug, a medical researcher, is on record as warning users that it may be dangerous.

If, as Ross Bell says, "This behaviour is quite typical of the party pill industry or the legal high industry, that the ingredients listed on the packet are often not what's inside the packet," then action must surely be taken to ascertain just what they do contain, and whether or not they have the capacity for unexpected side effects and potential dependency BEFORE they are allowed to be sold.

Instead, we're told that "The Ministry of Health is taking a 'wait and see' approach to this recreational product, despite the fact that it has just been banned in Germany , following the USA , Canada , and others."

Ms Davey suggests the "Sensible" way to deal with ALL recreational drugs new to the market is to Test, Verify their safety and THEN allow them to be retailed – with whatever restrictions are deemed appropriate.

Surely we have learned our lesson with "P" and BZP - let's not make any more disastrous mistakes by acting too late, or not acting at all.

Regards,

Christine Davey
Sensible Sentencing Spokesperson on Drug Issues,
mobile 027 6376166