NPS are chemical derivatives of (hard) drugs and are also known as ‘designer drugs’. Drug criminals have until recently cleverly exploited loopholes in drug legislation. By replacing one or two atoms in a molecule, a new chemical substance was created. The effect of the substance remained the same or was even much stronger, but the “new” drug did not fall under the Opium Act. These practices are now coming to an end.
An additional list (IA list) has been added to the Opium Act for three substance groups:
- synthetic cannabinoids
- fentanyls
- phenethylamines (including cathinones)
The substances from these groups mimic the effects of substances such as THC (cannabis), heroin, and MDMA, respectively. Implementing a minimal chemical adjustment no longer provides relief due to the legislative change, as the entire substance groups are now prohibited.
‘Politics has listened’
Drug Portfolio Holder Willem Woelders is pleased with the amendment to the Opium Act. ‘We have worked hard as police for a generic ban and the politics have listened. With this generic ban, we can tackle many dangerous drug variants at once in advance. It puts an end to the cat-and-mouse game between the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and drug producers, who continually created new substances. And to the time-consuming process of separately assessing and banning those new drugs.’
More Effectiveness
Especially in the investigation and handling of international legal requests, the police now has more effectiveness according to Woelders. The law was also made based on examples of such laws abroad. ‘Detecting and dismantling drug laboratories becomes much more effective due to the amendments to the Opium Act. And that was badly needed. In legal assistance requests in international investigations, we often could not help before, as a substance was not yet prohibited here.’
Public Health and Safety
The ban is also an important step in the right direction for public health and safety. ‘The offering of designer drugs via the internet normalized drug use,’ says Woelders. ‘This is a clear signal to users, who often have no idea what they are taking, that these drugs are prohibited and life-threatening. A small dose can often lead to an overdose, with all the consequences that entails. Moreover, the illegal drug industry is accompanied by threats, attacks, and serious safety risks, such as explosions in illegal laboratories. This endangers not only users but also residents nearby.’
The police have already prepared for the new legislation, Woelders reports. ‘Officers receive e-learning about the changes in the Opium Act. And a manual has been created for conducting stop conversations with people selling so-called “designer drugs”. Through those conversations, we point out to them that most substances are now prohibited and that trading in them is punishable.’