Two stores to sell legal highs

Legal high sales will be restricted to one retailer in the CBD of each of the Katikati and Te Puke townships under Western Bay of Plenty District Council's proposed new psychoactive substances policy.

Councillors this morning agreed on the policy that also prohibits legal high retailers from operating within a 100-metre radius of medical and education facilities and public libraries.

Bamboo Barn will be allowed to continue selling legal highs under WBOPDC's policy.

This means Te Puke's current legal high retailer will have to move, as its current location on Jellicoe Street is within the 100 metre restriction of a medical centre.

Stores are also prohibited from being within 50 metres of parks and reserves – and within 750 metres of another retailer.

Current retailer, Bamboo Barn, situated on State Highway 2 and Hyde Street, can continue to sell the products as it falls outside of the restrictions.

Today's decision goes against pleas from members of the Western Bay communities, which last Monday asked council for a complete ban on psychoactive substances in the townships.

Katikati resident Anne Bowling was among the submitters who presented a petition signed by 1500 people. Other Te Puke and Katikati residents also expressed concern in letting young people get hold of the legal highs.

During the deliberations councillor Gary Webber said he prefers the retailer be visible, so public 'self-policing” can occur.

'I'd prefer to see it on a main street, where there is public interaction.”

Council is proposing opening hours for legal high outlets of Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

All nine councillors and Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson agreed there is higher foot traffic during these times, meaning informal monitoring can occur, and the opening time of 9am reduces availability to vulnerable members of the public.

But councillor Mike Williams, and councillors Ross Goudie and John Scrimgeour, opposed the hours.

Mike wanted the hours to be Monday-Friday 9am-2.30pm.

'[I want] the least amount of temptation available as possible,” but says he realises restricting retailers to this extent 'would be unrealistic”.

Councillor Sue Matthews also expressed her concerns over young children being in the vicinity of the retailers during Saturdays.

'I know you have to be 18 [to purchase], but it's about setting an example.”

In considering a bylaw, council unanimously opposed looking at a bylaw to solve the problem, saying legal advice told them to 'not go there”, and that it would be costly to ratepayers.

Councillor Peter MacKay discussed the possibility of lobbying the Government to give more power to councils over the legal high issue.

Councillors will look to adopt the policy at their next meeting policy and planning committee on May 26.

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4 comments

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Posted on 14-04-2014 16:41 | By Sambo Returns

what a pack of "shirt tail lifters", is it not just a bloody sight easier to make it totally illegal, why are we being held to ransom by lawyers, and quick talking politicians (local/central)when its our children who suffer, what a crazy old world, when the natural herb is illegal, and the synthetic is legal.


This would be more useful

Posted on 14-04-2014 16:42 | By Colleen Spiro

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9936138/Doctors-enlisted-to-ban-legal-highs BAN IT.


Overit

Posted on 14-04-2014 16:52 | By overit

This is a bizare outcome and not good enough. What a mockery!


NO POWER

Posted on 14-04-2014 20:24 | By Colleen Spiro

The Councils have NO POWER to ban this stuff....They only have the power to put restrictions on the retailers.....The directive has to come from the Ministry of Health. A very unsatisfactory outcome.


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