Senate approves ban on 30 new synthetic drugs

Prague, April 6 (CTK) - The Czech Senate, the upper house of parliament, yesterday approved an amendment to the law on addictive substances to include 33 new synthetic drugs to prevent their free sale in shops and on the Internet.

The amendment is to take effect before the end of April if President Vaclav Klaus signs it.

Some senators criticised the fact that no fixed date was set for the introduction of new rules to enable people to get rid of these substances in time.

However, deputy Pavel Bem (senior government Civic Democrats, ODS), one of the legislation's authors, argues that the ban should take effect as quickly as possible.

The 30 substances to be banned include butylone, flephedrone, mephedrone, methylone, naphyrone and salvinorin A.

So far these drugs have been legally available in shops established by Polish sellers. Most of them have been imported from Asia.

The list also includes substances carfentanil, tapentadol and ketamine, the handling of which is tightened by the amendment.