By BEN KERRIGAN

A blanket ban on legal highs has come into force in the UK, at long last.

Laws criminalizing the production, distribution, sale and supply of the new psychoactive substance came into force today, Wednesday.

The chemicals, known as spice and black mamba, are used as substitutes for drugs like cannabis and cocaine, but have more lethal consequences. The legal ban in the UK is therefore most welcome.

Many users claim to have had near death experiences, and there have been more than 100 deaths in the UK and a rise in violent assaults in prison.

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Despite the reports of deaths, some users have foolishly continued to take the dangerous substance.

Under the new laws, offenders who break the  laws will face up to seven years in prison under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

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Police also have the power  to shut down “headshops” – stores which sells drug paraphernalia – and online dealers in the UK.

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The new laws will empower  Police to conduct wide searches, seize, and destroy psychoactive substances, as well as carry out searches of people, premises and vehicles.

Prisoners found in possession of a psychoactive substance in prison could now face up to two years added to their sentence under the new crackdown on legal highs.

The new legislation has been debated several times in Parliament, with final measures eventually implemented today

It had been widely expected that the measures would be rolled out in April but the start date was pushed back. Some people fear the blanket ban on legal highs could push the trade underground, opening up a market for illegal trading of the chemical substance, and create a rivalry against traditionally smoked cannabis, known as skunk.

Legal highs contain deadly ingredients meant for killing sharks and some types are also used as horse tranquilizers. The blanket ban on legal highs is therefore most welcome.

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Pic By - Lance Cpl. Damany S. Colemanrid