No rush for highs say retailers

Te Puke woman Di Leach who lead the protest against sales of legal highs in the township celebrates the ban outside the sole Te Puke licensed retail store Special T Discounter yesterday. Photo/George Novak

Local retailers surveyed by the Bay of Plenty Times said there has not been a run on sales but that was because some people knew where to get some on the blackmarket, or they had decided to go back to buying cannabis.

John McCoy owner of Aristocrat Adult Shop in Greerton said he had only ever had a limited stock and had only been selling to few locals.

The majority of his customers were middle-aged, some were in their 60s, he said. "One of my regulars was a man mid 40s who came in on his mobility scooter to get his legal highs to help his arthritis and his other afflictions. He's not going to be very happy."

Mr McCoy said a total ban meant the Government had "just lost control" of the industry and the supply market had now gone underground,

Across town in Te Puke Speciality T Discounter owner Jin Woo Hwang and his partner Lyndsay agreed.

"If anyone thinks the ban isn't going to create a blackmarket they're in 'lah lah land', she said.

Some of her customers applauded the ban even one 24-year-old self-confessed addict who said she had been spending a $100 a week.

I know it's not good for me or my kids but I'm hooked,"she said.

Te Puke woman Di Leach who lead the protest against sales of legal highs in the township said she was "absolutely delighted" with the total ban and was sure the community would be too.

Western Bay police acting area commander Inspector Karl Wright St-Clair said police were gearing up to visit every licensed retailer to ensure stocks were removed from the shelves, and returned to their suppliers.

"Anyone who has any information about anyone selling psychoactive substances on the blackmarket or manufacturing legal highs is urged to immediately call police,"he said.

BOPDHB Youth Alcohol and Drug Service (SORTED) case manager David Gilmour said it was too early to say if there had been an increase in the number of people seeking advice and treatment since the ban of synthetic cannabis.

"The more dependent users will probably have stockpiles and or access to other supplies and we do not expect to be seeing them for a while.

"In the short term the less heavy users may begin presenting but their withdrawal issues are likely to be at the lower end of the scale," he said.

The BOPDHB website, under 'Latest News,' has an information sheet regarding synthetic cannabis withdrawals. Tauranga Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Director Derek Sage said there had been no noticeable increase in presentations in the last two weeks.