The police supports the ban on New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Willem Woelders, drug portfolio holder, emphasizes that broad legislation is needed to tackle the trade in these substances. The ban prevents producers from circumventing the law with minor chemical adjustments. They change a molecule and the substance is no longer under the Opium Act, but the effect remains similar, says Peter Jansen, an expert at the police.
Three Substance Groups Banned
The legislative change ends the cat-and-mouse game between police and producers. The ban on NPS adds a new list to the Opium Act, making synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyls, and phenethylamines illegal. Minor adjustments will no longer provide a solution.
Public Health and Rule of Law Protected
The police state that the ban is essential for public health and the rule of law. Many of these substances are poorly researched and users often do not know what they are taking, warns Jansen. Designer drugs are easily available online, normalizing drug use. Even a small dose can be fatal. Production and distribution are linked to the illegal drug industry, leading to threats and explosions in illegal laboratories.
International Perspective
The ban also strengthens international cooperation in the fight against drugs. The Netherlands lagged behind in legislation, which caused frustration. Woelders states: Other countries were astonished by our legislation. We had become a kind of NPS hub for Europe. This ban puts an end to that.