Labour will use new powers for Stockport Council to work with Greater Manchester Police to tackle legal highs, after a complete ban on the sale of these substances over the counter and online came into force on 26th May.

Executive Councillor for Reform and Governance David Sedgwick said ‘Parents across Stockport have spoken to me to share their concern about the availability of legal highs.

‘Labour listened, campaigning for new powers to tackle the increasingly dangerous use of these drugs for more than a year, in the face of opposition from local Liberal Democrats.

‘I am delighted that following a Labour motion on 2nd July 2015 the Government has now given Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) the tools to work together in partnership to crackdown on the increasing prevalence of psychoactive substances.

‘As well as the criminal penalties which have been introduced to deter the supply of legal highs, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 includes provision for a range of civil sanctions, including prohibition notices, premises notices, prohibition orders and premises orders.

‘Labour will now ensure that Stockport uses these new powers to their fullest potential.’

The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 gained Royal Assent on 28th January, coming into force across the UK from 26th May, and makes it an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export legal highs.

The Act also gives police the power to seize and destroy psychoactive substances. Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and medicines used in healthcare-related activities are exempt.

Councillor Sedgwick added ‘These powers enable GMP and the Council to respond in an agile fashion to disrupt the supply of legal highs, vital after recent well-publicised instances where major stores of psychoactive substances have been found in Stockport.

‘This is so important because limited research has been conducted into the effects of these drugs other than we know that taking them can have potentially lethal consequences.

‘Labour is taking action in the best interests of our young people.’

The Local Government Association had been calling for legislation on legal highs since Councils were handed responsibility for Public Health budgets in 2013.

The Office for National Statistics has recorded that annually at least 60 deaths are linked to the use of legal highs.