National ban on synthetic drugs

The Federal Government is imposing an interim national ban on 19 synthetic drugs after Sydney teenager Henry Kwan took an LSD-like drug and fell to his death from the balcony of his family's home.

Sale and supply of the drugs will be banned for 120 days to give State and Territory governments time to update their legislation and outlaw synthetic drugs.

WA laws on synthetic drugs are regarded among the toughest in Australia, but tighter national laws are likely to make it more difficult for the drugs to be imported and make their way into WA.

The WA ChemCentre, which contributed to a NSW Legislative Assembly legal affairs committee report into synthetic drugs, and the Australian Medical Association WA have been among those calling for national laws on the issue.

ChemCentre head of illicit drugs Dominic Reynolds said the number of synthetic drugs seized in WA was small but diverse. Chemists had analysed synthetic forms of ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and cannabis.

Many synthetic drugs can be bought from underground websites, which are used by Australian-based and international sellers, and police say online mail order is a popular means of importation.

Federal Minister Assisting for Deregulation David Bradbury has urged State and Territory governments to review their drug laws to make sure synthetic drugs "are not falling through the cracks".

"The synthetic drugs market is fast-moving and suppliers have shown they are willing to change brand names and packaging to get around bans made under consumer laws," he said.

The Eros Association, which represents the adult retail and entertainment industry, claimed the new laws would drive the synthetic drug market underground and encourage big production laboratories in Australia.

"Prohibition of drugs has never worked to make them safer or to reduce demand," its chief executive Fiona Patten said.

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National ban on synthetic drugs