Pollice swoop on designer drug shops last month; photo - PAP

President Bronislaw Komorowski has signed emergency legislation banning the marketing and manufacture of designer drugs in Poland following a crackdown by the Health Ministry.

The amendment to existing laws fighting drug addiction prohibits the manufacture and marketing of products that can be used as a narcotic or as a psychotropic drug.

In the case of reasonable suspicion that a product is a danger to life or health, the health inspectorate will be able to halt its production and sale for a period of 18 months, or until it has been rigorously tested.

The health inspectorate will be able to impose a fine of between 20,000 to one million zloty (5,000 to 250,000 euros).

The government also wants to ban the advertising of designer drugs.

In October, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the government would crack down on the trade of designer drugs (dopalacze) after a string of deaths and poisonings thought to be associated with “legal highs” which could be bought easily over the counter or via the internet. (pg)