John Campion is welcoming news that the classification of ‘Spice’, will be reviewed as part of a series of national initiatives around drugs.
The Commissioner has pushed for ‘Spice’, and other synthetic cannabinoids to be reclassified as Class A drugs, due to the devastating impact they can have on users and wider communities.
The Government has asked for new assessments on the substances from both the National Crime Agency and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
John Campion said: “These substances are doing significant damage to the individuals taking them, as well as wider communities nationwide. I have acted on that feedback from our communities in West Mercia and lobbied Government. I am pleased that the Government has clearly listened to those concerns.”
“I believe reclassifying synthetic cannabinoids is an important step, but if it happens, that alone would not fix the problem. Reclassification would give more powerful tools to our police and criminal justice system, but I firmly believe that effectively tackling drugs needs a holistic approach with support from a wide range of local and national partners.”
Synthetic Cannabinoids have been linked to 27 deaths nationally in a 12 month period (ONS), and have led to an increased demand on policing and other public or emergency services.
Click here to read the full comments from the Policing Minister Nick Hurd.
