In the biggest blitz yet by the state’s consumer protection agency, more than 100 NSW Fair Trading officers today visited 219 retailers across the state informing traders of the new interim product safety ban on a range of synthetic drugs.
Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts announced the interim ban on the drugs, including cannabinoids and bath salts, under Section 109 of the Australian Consumer Law, on Sunday 9 June.
The ban is in place for up to 90 days and applies to the sale and supply of named synthetic drugs that can cause significant harm and injury to consumers.
Fair Trading Assistant Commissioner Robert Vellar said 21 of the 219 businesses visited today had newly banned products on shelves or in stock.
“Fair Trading officers spent the day informing traders of the need to remove synthetic drug products from sale.” he said.
The ban follows a Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee report, Law Reform Issues Regarding Synthetic Drugs, tabled on 30 May this year.
The report noted synthetic drugs contain chemical substances artificially developed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine.
These synthetic drugs have been widely reported to cause psychotic episodes and sometimes fatalities and the product safety ban applies to products that are the equivalent of those specified in the order. The order and list of banned drugs can be found at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.
Mr Vellar said anyone with information about retailers supplying synthetic drugs should advise Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or the NSW Police Force.
“Today’s results reveal the substantial market that has existed for these products and should ring alarm bells from a public health and safety perspective,” he said.
Fair Trading officers will continue visiting retailers around the state for the rest of this week.