Dartford Labour Party will this week demand that Dartford Borough Council take action

against the use of ‘Legal Highs’ in the borough.

Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ is the second most popular recreational drug

amongst young people, with 7.6% of 16-24 year olds responding to the 2013/14 Crime

Survey for England and Wales reporting nitrous oxide use in the last year.

The law currently does not address possession and usage of this drug. Signs of the

use of legal highs, such as Nitrous oxide in Dartford, have become common in

locations such as our town centre, Central Park, Temple Hill Square and Darenth

Country Park. Residents have expressed their concerns to Labour Councillors regarding

the on-going nuisance of litter and anti-social behaviour.

The leader of Dartford Labour, Councillor Jonathon Hawkes said

“We know that Legal highs are dangerous to those who use them and a major cause of

concern for local residents. We believe that the council has a duty to do all it can to

combat the use of legal highs in Dartford and that’s why we’ve asked for this debate. I

believe we should work together to address the concerns of residents and protect the

community.”

Labour wishes to see the council raise awareness of the dangers of legal highs. Labour is

also asking the council to consult with residents of Dartford about the

implementation of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), throughout Dartford

Borough, with the following prohibition:

Person(s) within this area will not:

 Ingest, inhale, inject, smoke, possess or otherwise use intoxicating substances.

 Selling and supply is also prohibited.

PSPOs are powers available under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act

2014 and they are only available for local authorities to use. A PSPO is designed to stop

individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space.

Labour’s motion on Legal Highs will be debated by councillors on Monday evening. (12th

October)