Hansard

Although I can claim to have a higher in chemistry, I cannot claim to have the depth of knowledge of Elaine Murray or even Nigel Don, who intervened on her. I will therefore avoid some of the critical issues that have been mentioned previously.

Nevertheless, I take the opportunity to welcome the debate. Although the issue of new psychoactive substances has been subject to question and previous discussion in Parliament, the fact that this is the first Government debate on the subject indicates the importance that the Government attaches to the issue and its determination to deal with the problems that it has raised. I will therefore happily vote for the motion tonight and, of course, for the Labour Party amendment.

The fact that we are dealing with this problem should not be taken in isolation. We have had similar problems in the past when a craze for a substance has led to significant health problems, particularly among young people. Many members will be aware of the problems that existed because of the inhalation of solvents some time ago. That did eventually pass, and we all welcome that it did.

Many of the problems that we are addressing today were addressed in some form at that time. I was delighted to hear from the minister that Police Scotland is looking at the possibility of working with trading standards to ensure that the use of these substances is not unfettered and that planning and licensing laws are being considered as options.

I was aware that there was a problem with new psychoactive substances, but its extent was brought home to me surprisingly quickly during the Christmas recess. I was contacted by a number of people in the Arbroath area who had experienced quite acute problems as a result of the sale of these substances.

In Arbroath, the issue of so-called legal highs remains a grave concern to parents and other residents, because these substances are not sold furtively, as one might expect, but openly from ordinary retail premises. That gives them a facade of acceptability and safety, which they do not have and which, in the opinion of many, they should never have had.

Before the Arbroath against legal highs group was formally founded, I met Arbroath residents and a number of Angus councillors in December, who wished to express their frustration that these products, which were being sold as plant food, research chemicals or, in one case, as incense, were so freely available, without any kind of licensing and that, consequently, the local authority had very little ability to challenge their sale.

The meeting that I attended was a catalyst for forming the group. Its Facebook page attracted hundreds of people within hours of it being set up. The current membership stands at more than 1,800. Substantial interest has been expressed through that route.

The Arbroath campaign has had considerable coverage in the local media. That reflects local concerns, which are exacerbated by the fact that one of the shops selling the substances opened just two doors down from a support centre that helps people with addiction issues. Another has opened directly across the road from the award-winning community alcohol free environment—CAFE—project, which works with vulnerable and marginalised young people.

It is clear to me that everything that can be done to address the issue of the sale of these products must be done. I know that the concerns are not limited to Arbroath; others around Scotland and further afield are rightly protesting at the easy availability of these substances, which can do so much harm to those who take them under the misunderstanding that they are somehow legal.

The reason why the term “legal high” is so dangerous is that if the substances are described as “legal highs” there can be a misunderstanding that they are somehow acceptable or safe. In fact, the problem is that they have not been tested or regulated and we do not know whether they are safe. As a result, some young people in particular take the substances believing that there is some kind of protection associated with the term “legal high” when, in fact, exactly the reverse is the case.

The work of the campaign in Arbroath goes on, and I commend whole-heartedly those who are involved for how they have conducted themselves, often in the face of overt hostility from those in some quarters who wish to see the trade continue. The situation must not be allowed to continue. I urge both Governments, north and south of the border, and all relevant organisations to work together to find a solution to a problem that continues to exercise those who genuinely care for their communities.

In dealing with this problem, we will have to cast the net wide. We have already heard at some length from the minister how she intends to deal with the problem when the opportunity arises. In this age of the internet, it is increasingly dangerous to control these substances. As a consequence, I believe that it is necessary for us to work hard to educate young people in particular that it is not acceptable to use such substances of any kind simply for recreational purposes.

The use of drugs in our society has caused many problems over the years. Some of our biggest problems are associated with drugs that have already been mentioned. I believe that that problem is gradually beginning to become less serious, not least because of the work that has been done by successive Governments to overcome it. It would be such a disappointment if, at the time of a potential victory, we found ourselves facing another wave of substance abuse. That is why we must stamp on this hard now.