Ulster Unionist Cllr Mark McKinty has welcomed the inclusion of action on legal highs in Queen's speech.
Speaking following the announcement, Cllr McKinty said:
"I
am pleased that on Wednesday Her Majesty The Queen set out in her
speech to Parliament proposals to comprehensively tackle the issue of
legal highs across the country."
"This
came only a day after the very welcome news that Belfast City Council
was successful in bringing legal action against suppliers."
"I
previously met with Larne Council officers and the PSNI who
subsequently met with Belfast officers to pursue the same course of
action. Each case is different and extremely difficult to see through to
a successful end, but I have requested Mid and East Antrim Borough
Council officers give this issue the same priority treatment."
"I
also wrote to Stormont, the Home Office, and the Prime Minister
requesting comprehensive and robust action against this blight on our
communities. Current legislation means each of the ever-increasing new
array of psychoactive substances, legal highs, has to be tested and
banned individually. I am happy therefore that the Government is
proposing to ban all such substances (except alcohol, tobacco and
caffeine) and suppliers of new substances must prove their fitness for
human consumption."
"Both
items of news this week have been a success for public health and
safety, and I will be again writing to the Government to encourage a
swift fulfilment of the proposed legislative route; the safety and
well-being of our communities, particularly those of our young people,
depend on it."
Ends
For information on Belfast City Council conviction, see:
'Legal highs': Belfast sellers first to be convicted in the UK, as landmark city council prosecution succeeds
Ends
For information on Belfast City Council conviction, see:
'Legal highs': Belfast sellers first to be convicted in the UK, as landmark city council prosecution succeeds
