Police should hold off prosecuting people for possession of psychoactive products for the next six months, the New Zealand Drug Foundation has urged. On Tuesday, Parliament voted to amend the Psychoactive Substances Act to remove all products from sale from Thursday.
"We're calling on the police to press pause on their enforcement of possession of psychoactive products for the next six months," said Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell. "One of the biggest barriers for people asking for help for themselves or others and getting into treatment is the fear of getting busted.
"A period where that barrier of fear is removed will allow people who need help to seek it.
"This would be a pragmatic and compassionate move which will assist people to access help services."
Mr Bell said there was a precedent for not prosecuting people for possession offences immediately after a product ban.
