Issue - meetings

To consider the attached document.

Officers provided details of the commitment to bring forward new legislation to ban the new generation of psychoactive drugs.  The Psychoactive Substances Bill would protect people from the risks posed by untested, unknown and potentially harmful drugs and create a blanket ban which would prohibit and disrupt the production, distribution, sale and supply of new psychoactive substances (“NPS”) in the UK.  Exempt substances include alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, medicines (including those subject to testing in clinical trials) and controlled drugs as well as caffeine and foodstuffs.

The Bill would make it an offence to: produce; supply; offer to supply; possess with intent to supply; import or export a psychoactive substance.  It was noted that there was no offence of simple possession.

The Sub-Committee noted that Nitro-oxide would be included in the Bill.  Last year over 30,000 nitro-oxide canisters were found at We “R” Festival, this year a different approach was taken including “honesty bin” so there were a lot less.  Officers stated that this substance was used in the catering business and could be bought easily online.

The Council were looking to introduce a Public Space Protection Order in the Ring Road Area, where the current “Designated No Drinking Zone”existed which could include a ban on all psychoactive substances as well as other anti-social behaviour.  It was hoped to extend this to the area around Queen’s Hospital too.

The Havering Community Safety Partnership would need to approve the order and then consult with the public. This could take up to two years to implement.  The Sub-Committee asked that an update on progress be given at a future meeting.