Submissions to Council’s proposed psychoactive substances policy summarised

Submissions to Waikato District Council’s proposed psychoactive substances policy have been summarised, with a number of key themes emerging.

Submissions closed in February this year with 483 received from across the Waikato district. From these submissions, the top three most common themes relate to the criteria around the proposed areas where premises selling legal highs could potentially be located.

These include comments around the suitability of the potential retail locations as shown on the maps in the proposed policy, identifying additional sensitive sites not included in the proposed policy and suggested changes to the proposed distance from sensitive sites such as educational and community facilities, social services and residential zones.

Other key themes include suggested changes to the proposed separation distance between premises selling legal highs, complete opposition to any legal highs being sold in a particular town and opposing the legalisation of any psychoactive substances.

Waikato District Council General Manager Customer Support Sue Duignan said one of the clearest messages received throughout the process was that people were aware of the issues around the sale and use of legal highs and did not want them to be sold in their communities.

“We too have concerns around the sale of these substances and the impact they may have on our communities. Therefore we are aware of what a vital role this policy will play in helping to restrict the sale of legal highs in the Waikato district.”

Ms Duignan said Council appreciated people taking the time to put forward their submissions and they would be carefully considered going forward.

The hearings of submissions are expected to be held in May 2014, with 79 submitters opting to be heard.

ENDS

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