Menu
28/07/2009
ACMD To Give Advice On 'Legal Highs'
The increasing availability and potential harm of 'legal highs’'are one of the key priorities of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) as set out in their annual report published today.
The report also looks at the work of the council between April 2008 and March 2009. Within the period the ACMD undertook numerous reviews and gave advice on classification of; cannabis, MDMA (Ecstasy), GBL, BZP and 24 various steroids.
The government accepted the council’s recommendations to bring GBL, BZP and 24 various steroids under control within the Misuse of Drugs Act.
These reviews also contained numerous recommendations on research and health protection measures.
"One of our key priorities for the coming year will be investigating the increasing threat of legal highs," Professor David Nutt, Chair of the ACMD said.
"We have already started this work and recently gave the government advice on the synthetic cannabinoids known as SPICE.
"The annual report shows the wide range of work the council has looked at relating to various drugs and the harms they cause. In the vast majority of these occasions the government has committed to implementing the recommendations we made."
He continued: "It is important that we remain at the forefront of managing these emerging trends and the harms of substance misuse. We need to get across that some of these legal highs pose a real danger.
"By looking at the evidence to see the harms caused by the various chemical compounds that make up these legal highs we will be able to give advice to the government on a scientific basis, allowing them to legislate and remain ahead of the game."
Correspondance published in the annual report show the agreed priorities the ACMD and the Home Office recently agreed on. These include giving advice to the Home Secretary in the summer of 2009 on synthetic cannabis known as SPICE; looking at the chemical compounds of legal highs and their effects; trends and effects of poly drug users and enhancing the drug early warning mechanisms used to detect possible drugs that cause harm.
(JM)
The report also looks at the work of the council between April 2008 and March 2009. Within the period the ACMD undertook numerous reviews and gave advice on classification of; cannabis, MDMA (Ecstasy), GBL, BZP and 24 various steroids.
The government accepted the council’s recommendations to bring GBL, BZP and 24 various steroids under control within the Misuse of Drugs Act.
These reviews also contained numerous recommendations on research and health protection measures.
"One of our key priorities for the coming year will be investigating the increasing threat of legal highs," Professor David Nutt, Chair of the ACMD said.
"We have already started this work and recently gave the government advice on the synthetic cannabinoids known as SPICE.
"The annual report shows the wide range of work the council has looked at relating to various drugs and the harms they cause. In the vast majority of these occasions the government has committed to implementing the recommendations we made."
He continued: "It is important that we remain at the forefront of managing these emerging trends and the harms of substance misuse. We need to get across that some of these legal highs pose a real danger.
"By looking at the evidence to see the harms caused by the various chemical compounds that make up these legal highs we will be able to give advice to the government on a scientific basis, allowing them to legislate and remain ahead of the game."
Correspondance published in the annual report show the agreed priorities the ACMD and the Home Office recently agreed on. These include giving advice to the Home Secretary in the summer of 2009 on synthetic cannabis known as SPICE; looking at the chemical compounds of legal highs and their effects; trends and effects of poly drug users and enhancing the drug early warning mechanisms used to detect possible drugs that cause harm.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 November 2012
Two Legal Highs Reclassified
Two "legal highs" are to be made illegal class B drugs. Black mamba and methoxetamine, often known as mexxy, will be banned with users facing up to five years in jail.
Two Legal Highs Reclassified
Two "legal highs" are to be made illegal class B drugs. Black mamba and methoxetamine, often known as mexxy, will be banned with users facing up to five years in jail.
23 September 2003
CAB warns legal aid system decimated by government audits
The legal aid system is being audited out of existence to the extent that the poor and socially excluded "are unable to receive the help they need", the Citizens Advice annual conference was told today.
CAB warns legal aid system decimated by government audits
The legal aid system is being audited out of existence to the extent that the poor and socially excluded "are unable to receive the help they need", the Citizens Advice annual conference was told today.
07 September 2009
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
29 May 2015
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
23 Charged With Drug Offences Following Raids
More than 20 people have been charged with drug offences following a number of raids carried out in London, Gravesend, Dover and Deal. A total of 23 people were arrested during twenty raids carried out over three days. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 52, have all been charged in connection with the supply of class A drugs.
28 January 2014
Escaped Terrorism Suspect Granted Legal Aid To Fight Court Orders
A terror suspect, who absconded after changing into a burka in a London mosquw, has been granted legal aid to appeal against a ruling restricting his movements. 27-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed has been missing since November and his current whereabouts are unknown.
Escaped Terrorism Suspect Granted Legal Aid To Fight Court Orders
A terror suspect, who absconded after changing into a burka in a London mosquw, has been granted legal aid to appeal against a ruling restricting his movements. 27-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed has been missing since November and his current whereabouts are unknown.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
