MEP backs call for legal highs ban

MEP Paul Nuttall

A call to have "legal highs" banned has been welcomed by local MEP Paul Nuttall.

The Local Government Association (LGA) wants the government to adopt an approach similar to that in Ireland where instead of banning drugs on a case-by-case basis as in the UK, all "psychoactive" - brain altering - drugs are banned and then some, such as alcohol and tobacco, are exempted.

Deaths from so-called legal highs have more than doubled in the past four years - rising to 60 last year from 26 in 2009.

"The problem is that no sooner is one drug banned than the manufacturers alter the formula so that it can then be sold legally. It's a drug making roundabout and we need legislation to stamp it out," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"I find it wrong that there are shops selling legal highs where young people can just wander it and buy these potentially lethal drugs. I fully support the LGA and its call for the government to introduce legislation to ban these drugs.

"We have a serious drugs problem in this country and it is particularly young people who are attracted to them. In general terms we must do more by way of education to deter dallying with danger which can easily lead to long term addiction.

"Sadly it is all too easy to obtain illegal drugs without adding to the problem with legal highs," he added.