Tuesday, 25 Aug 2009
Man-made chemicals which are sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice' and the chemical solvent GBL are two of the so called 'legal highs' to be banned by the end of the year, Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.
As part of the government’s commitment to tackle the emerging threat of so called 'legal highs', a new information campaign to educate young people on the dangers of a range of these substances was also announced today. The campaign, which will launch during the traditional student Freshers’ week in September, will highlight their dangers, particularly when they are mixed with alcohol.
Following public consultation on the options for the control of GBL under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the following substances will be banned, subject to parliamentary approval:
- Chemical solvent - GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) and a like chemical – which are converted in to the Class C drug GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body and often used as 'club drugs'. They will be controlled as Class C drugs and banned when intended for human consumption
- Synthetic cannabinoids - man-made chemicals sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice', which act on the body in a similar way to cannabis but can be far more potent, will be controlled as a Class B drug alongside cannabis
- BZP (Benzylpiperazine) and related piperazines, which are stimulants taken as an alternative to amphetamine, will be controlled as Class C drugs.
Statement from the Home Secretary
Alan Johnson said, 'There is a perception that many of the so called "legal highs" are harmless, however in some cases people can be ingesting dangerous industrial fluids or smoking chemicals that can be even more harmful than cannabis.
'Legal highs are an emerging threat, particularly to young people, and we have a duty to educate them about the dangers. That’s why we are also launching a campaign in September to highlight the risks.'
Statement from the Chair of the ACMD
Professor David Nutt said, 'We welcome the government’s decision to accept our advice and bring GBL; BZP; 1,4-butanediol; synthetic cannabinoids and 24 anabolic steroids within the Misuse of Drugs Act.
'We made these recommendations as it is important to highlight that these are in fact dangerous drugs, especially when mixed with alcohol.
'The ACMD are continuing work on other 'legal highs' and will provide recommendations on separate drugs throughout the year, based on prevalence and harms.'
In addition, a further 24 anabolic steroids, testosterone-like products often used by sports people and increasingly being used by the general public to enhance physique and strength, and two growth promoters will be added to the list of steroids already controlled as Class C drugs. Finally, although there is no evidence of misuse in the UK but in accordance with our obligations under the UN Conventions, we will also seek to control the precursor Oripvaine as a Class C drug.
Notes to editors
Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) and its like chemical 1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BD) are converted into GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in the body which has been citied in cases of date rape. GBL is a colourless, oily liquid, with a weak odour. Both substances can reduce inhibitions, cause nausea, reduced heart rate and even death. Both are particularly dangerous when taken with alcohol and other depressant substances. Options for control of these substances were subject to public consultation which finished on 13 August. A summary of the consultation responses will be published in due course. The government’s decision to control GBL and 1,4-BD for human consumption takes fully into account the use of these chemicals for legitimate purposes.The ACMD’s advice can be found on the Home Office Drugs website in the ACMD section.
Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and related piperazines – are man-made stimulants taken as an alternative to amphetamine. They can cause a rush of energy, agitation, vomiting and headaches. They can come in many shapes and forms, including pills and powders. Control of these substances was subject to public consultation which finished on 13 August. A summary of the consultation responses will be published in due course. The ACMD’s advice can be found on the Home Office Drugs website in the ACMD section.
Synthetic cannabinoids – are man-made chemicals that mimic the psychoactive effects of tetrahydroncannabinol (THC) the active ingredient in cannabis. They can be sprayed on herbal smoking products such as 'Spice'. The ACMD advice, published on 12 August, can be found on the Home Office Drugs website in the ACMD section.
Anabolic Steroids - details of the 24 steroids and two growth promoters and ACMD’s advice can be found on the Home Office Drugs website in the ACMD section and were subject to consultation which finished on 13 August. A summary of the consultation responses will be published in due course
Oripavine - an alkaloid found in poppy straw of the opium poppy which can be converted into thebaine and used in the production of semi-synthetic opiates such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. There is presently no evidence of its misuse in the UK but the UK is obligated to control oripavine under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 following its international control under the UN 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The ACMD advise that Oripavine is controled as a class C drug and the advice can be found on the Home Office Drugs website in the ACMD section.
So called 'legal highs' are substances that are taken to achieve an altered state of mind (a 'high'), that are not currently controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. However, most of these substances are illegal to sell, supply or advertise for human consumption because of their effects on the body under medicines legislation. View the March 2009 commissioning letter from the then Home Secretary to the ACMD on so called 'legal highs' and other areas.
Read some more facts about so called 'legal highs'
A drug is brought under control of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 by Order made by the Privy Council following approval of the Order by both Houses of Parliament (via the affirmative resolution procedure). The parliamentary process will start when parliament return after Summer recess in October in order to bring in drug controls by the end of the year.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a non-departmental public body established by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD provides independent expert advice to ministers on drug misuse - primarily to the Home Office, but also to other government departments.
For details of the government’s drug strategy visit the Home Office Drugs website
For further information please contact the Home Office Press Office 020 7035 3535
