TRADE

It has been shown that the introduction of a substance group ban does not work, but leads to more drug use, more incidents and more illegal drug trafficking. The introduction of a similar substance groups ban in 2016 in the UK has not led to a decrease, but to an increase in drug use. Users of new psychoactive substances have continued to use these drugs or have switched to other, much more harmful, drugs. Two years after the substance ban was introduced, hard drug use in the UK has increased sharply and more people have died from using impure MDMA, cocaine and opiates. The emergence of new psychoactive substances in the UK has not diminished following the introduction of the substance group ban and street traders have largely taken over the distribution of these substances.

Also known as: Trade Association, Trade Association of NPS Distributors