Media release

23 October 2014

Time to have your say on the sale of legal highs

Aucklanders are being urged to have their say on where psychoactive substances, commonly known as legal highs, can be sold in the city.

The council’s Local Approved Product Policy consultation, which will decide where the products can be sold, opens on Tuesday 28 Octoberand proposes that:

1. Licenses to sell legal psychoactive substances in all of Auckland (apart from the city centre) will not be granted in:

• areas of high deprivation

• neighbourhood centres

• within 500m of a school teaching students year seven and above

• within 200m of a school teaching students between years one and six inclusive

• within 500m of a mental health or addiction treatment centre

• within 500m of an existing psychoactive substances retail licence

• areas identified as restricted areas.

2. Licenses to sell legal psychoactive substances in the city centre will not be granted:

• in areas of residential deprivation

• within 100m of an existing psychoactive substances retail licence.

Councillor George Wood, chairperson of the Regional Strategy and Policy Committee says the council is working hard to ensure the proper, responsible balance is found.

“We have done extensive work on this draft policy, to try and minimise the risks to those most vulnerable in our community,” he says.

“Our vision, to become the world’s most liveable city, will be achieved in part through Auckland being a safe and healthy city. These proposed measures will help ensure that is the case.

“By setting up our policy on the sale of the products before they are licensed by government, we will be prepared for when they are once again legal to sell.

“And while we can’t stop their sale altogether, the council is being as responsible as possible by proposing these restrictions of sale.

“So we want as many people as possible to have their say on the policy, as the sale of these products has the potential to affect everyone in Auckland. Making your views heard now on this issue is absolutely vital.”

The consultation is open from 28 October-28 November and can be completed via shapeauckland.co.nz.

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