A north-east safety group is backing new powers for Trading Standards Scotland to tackle legal highs on the high street.
Fraserburgh Community Safety Group’s chairman, Brian Topping, has urged Westminster to deliver on legislation changes for “head shops” and sellers of legal highs in the wake of Trading Standards Scotland launching new guidance to officers.
Mr Topping, a member of a Cosla which manages trading standards, attended the launch.
Last night, he said that new powers to proactively block the sale of new psychoactive substances (NSP) would send a message to would-be shop owners.
“They’re selling these things as plant food or bath salts knowing full well what people are using them for,” he said.
“I know in Aberdeen they’ve closed down these head shops because they cause a nuisance and the fact is they are like drugs – the problems associated with them – and lowers the whole tone and safety of the area.
“Hopefully changes will put a message to any new shops opening up that this will not be tolerated because they seem quite content to make large profits.”
Between 2009 and 2013, a total of 203 deaths were reported where legal highs were present in the blood stream.
Mr Topping expects new legislation to be introduced by spring next year.
He added: “Trading standards will hopefully have more powers to intervene, but the new regulations will be a great tool and asset to them knowing all officers can be working in harmony to crack down on this.”
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, the minister for community and legal affairs, said: “We are committed to tackling the sale of NSP, which presents a serious risk to users.”
Earlier this year, a 16-year-old from Rathen appeared in court after snorting legal highs. He approached a woman in Fraserburgh and demanded she hand over her phone.
His solicitor told the sheriff that he compared the experience to being in a video game.