Mayor and Police join forces to oppose legal high sales in Rotorua

“There’s no place in Rotorua for the sale of synthetic cannabis. ‘Legal high’ products targeting our young people are insidious and a scourge on society, and need to be driven from our district.”

That’s the strong shared view of Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters and Rotorua Police Crime Prevention Manager, Inspector Ed van den Broek.

Mr Winters said so-called legal high products were clearly having a detrimental impact on society and the risks, especially to the district’s young people, should not be underestimated.

“Rotorua District Council is placing all Rotorua liquor outlets on notice that if they want to sell party pills and synthetic cannabis then we will deem these businesses unsuitable to hold a liquor licence, and their licence will be revoked.

“We now have the power to take that action and we will exercise it. We’re not prepared to allow the potentially lethal cocktail of alcohol and synthetic cannabis or party pills, to be sold from the same outlet.”

Mr Winters said he was looking forward to the passing of the government’s pending Psychoactive Substances Bill.

“It will be good start in controlling these products by banning their sale to under-18s, and removing them from dairies, gas stations, supermarkets and pubs. My understanding is that it could effectively mean a ban on the sale of all but the mildest of low-risk products.

“My view is that we must do everything we can to drive these substances out of our town. I’m fearful that use of these products will result in increased crime and avoidable harm to innocent and impressionable people, leaving us to pick up the pieces of tragically broken lives.

“As a caring community we need to take a stand and make it clear to people selling such products that we will boycott their businesses and give our custom to others who care about the lives of our residents. Voting with our feet is a strong message that concerned residents of this district can give to businesses selling these legal highs.

“I’ve been impressed with the recent move in Putaruru where the town’s retailers have agreed to a self-imposed ban on the sale of synthetic cannabis highs. This appears to be the result of citizen power at work; a strong response to community concerns and pressure. Good on them,” said Mr Winters.

Rotorua Police Crime Prevention Manager, Inspector Ed van den Broek, said people affected by these products had come to Police notice on a regular basis over the last 6 months.

“We’ve seen extreme behaviours including aggression, hallucinating and unconsciousness. Most people affected by these products are taken to hospital for medical treatment.

“We therefore welcome the legislation and believe that by severely restricting the sale of these products fewer people will experience the harmful effects of smoking or ingesting unknown synthetic chemicals.

“The Police encourage retailers to get these products off their shelves now," Inspector van den Broek said.

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