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Council to investigate psychoactive substances policy
Thursday 28 November 2013
Council to investigate psychoactive substances policy
Christchurch City Council staff will investigate the development of a local policy which could lead to further control of psychoactive substances.
At today’s Council meeting, the Mayor and Councillors passed a recommendation directing staff to develop a Local Approved Products Policy (LAPP) in response to the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013.
Commonly known as “legal highs”, psychoactive substances are the active ingredients in party pills and herbal highs.
The policy will provide guidance for the Ministry of Health about the density and location of retail premises selling psychoactive substances.
The policy will also enable Council to guide how close these outlets should be to particular facilities such as preschools, schools, churches and community and health facilities.
Councillor Paul Lonsdale, deputy Chair of the Strategy and Planning Committee, says: “The development of a LAPP will be an effective tool for the Council in containing the location of retail premises selling psychoactive substances.
Research indicates that high density and ease of access to these outlets can increase substance use so this policy, if developed, will provide the Council with a mechanism to help minimise further harm. The LAPP will work in with the Psychoactive Substances Act, providing a targeted approach towards preventing harm associated with products known as legal highs.”
The Psychoactive Substances Act has been in place since July 2013, regulating the sale, importation and manufacturing of psychoactive substances. Administered by the Ministry of Health, the act bans a range of outlets including dairies, convenience and grocery stores, service stations, and liquor outlets from selling these products.
A transitional licensing regime has been introduced by the Ministry of Health prior to the full regulations of the act coming into effect, expected to be late March 2014.
Council staff will undertake consultation with key stakeholders in December and January before reporting back to Council in February 2014. The staff report will include results of the initial consultation and recommend a timeline for proceeding with wider community consultation on a draft policy.
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