Legal highs ban: All you need to know about the new law

Here’s what you need to know about the ban, and the consequences of breaking the Psychoactive Substances Act – which was originally expected to be rolled out in April.

Could you be jailed for breaking it?

YES, offenders could face up to seven years in prison.

What else might police do?

Shops selling the drugs, or paraphernalia linked to taking them, could also be shut down from today.

Police will also have new powers to seize and destroy drugs, as well as searching people, cars and homes.

Officers will be able to issue prohibition notices, premises notices, prohibition orders and premises orders to stop people and shops stocking, selling or supplying substances.

Previously, police, trading standards and border forces have had to work together to tackle the supply, but the new blanket ban will make it easier for police to deal with unsafe drugs and tackle the problem.

Will the ban reduce drug taking?

There are mixed views on this one. A survey by the YMCA found whilst overall usage was likely to reduce, a hefty two thirds of young people would continue to take their favoured no-longer-legal high.

There are also fears it could force dealers onto the so-called “dark web”, of unlisted and difficult to trace websites.

'Laughing gas' is legal no more

Meanwhile, criminal lawyer Edmund Smyth, who works at Kingsley Napley, expressed fears that police “have ever more stretched resources, so questions remain about their ability to enforce the new regime effectively”.

What ARE legal highs?

New psychoactive substances, also referred to as designer drugs, exploded onto the scene in 2008/09.

They contain substances which mimic the effects of “traditional” drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy or “party pill” MDMA.

Nitrous Oxide, often called “laughing gas” or “hippy crack” is included in the new law.

Why are they dangerous?

Official figures, released last month, found that deaths linked to these legal drugs had more than tripled in just two years.

In total, 76 people died in the decade since 2004, among them Jimmy Guichard, 20, from Gravesend, Kent.

He suffered a heart attack and brain damage after smoking synthetic cannabis.

His mum, campaigner Karen Vandersypen, told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are absolutely delighted this has come into effect.

Jimmy, who tragically died in his mother's arms

“It is just such a shame we have paid such a high price for having it there.”

Councillor Simon Blackburn of the Local Government Association deemed them a “scourge on society (which) shatter lives”.

He added: “The new blanket ban on psychoactive substances should help to reduce anti-social behaviour linked to their use, which has been harming communities and blighting town and city centres for residents and visitors for too long.”

Which drugs aren’t included?

Poppers, a drug commonly used during gay sex, remains legal – after a last-minute exclusion from the legislation.

As does nicotine, alcohol and a number of legitimate medical products.

Why has the government introduced this law?

Minister Karen Bradley explained: “Too many lives have been lost or ruined by the dangerous drugs formerly referred to as ‘legal highs’.

“That is why we have taken action to stamp out this brazen trade.

“The Psychoactive Substances Act sends a clear message - these drugs are not legal, they are not safe and we will not allow them to be sold in this country.”

What are our local police doing about it?

Chief Inspector Lindsey Stamp, of North Yorkshire Police, said the force would highlight the new laws on social media, and speak with local shops to make sure they are aware of the changes.

Chief Insp Stamp said: "Our message has always been clear that these substances are extremely dangerous. The term 'legal highs' led some people to believe that they were safe, but nothing could be further from the truth. Users can never be sure of what exactly is in them, or what their effects might be, which makes using them a huge risk.

"In the past, suppliers of new psychoactive substances have sidestepped the law by using ingredients that mimic the effects of controlled drugs. This legislation will now enable us, with the help of our partners, to prevent such substances from causing further harm to our communities. Please let us know if you are aware of anyone continuing to supply psychoactive substances once the Act commences on May 26, we can and will take action against them."