Synthetic LSD-like hallucinogens to be banned by Federal Government

Updated

Four synthetic hallucinogens with effects similar to LSD are set to be outlawed by the Federal Government.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan says the substances that will soon be banned are commonly advertised as Smiles, N-Bomb or Pandora.

"The drugs continually evolve and we will continue to ban them in all their forms," he said.

"We're also working with the states and territories to come up with a comprehensive ban on synthetic drugs."

The drugs mimic the effects of actual LSD and can result in hallucinations, paranoia, cardiovascular complications, seizures and even death.

Mr Keenan says once the legislation is amended, anyone who buys or imports these drugs could be sentenced to jail.

"Synthetic drugs are deadly and anyone bringing these types of drugs into the country are on notice; they face serious criminal penalties," he said in a statement.

"We're going to make sure they can't come into Australia.

"If you were to import them into Australia you'd be committing the same sort of criminal offence as you would if you were importing actual LSD."

What are synthetic drugs? ABC Health and Wellbeing explains.

The substances, which can be bought online, have been responsible for several deaths in Australia over the past few years including the balcony deaths of Australian teenagers Preston Bridge, 16, in Perth and Henry Kwan, 17, in Sydney in 2013.

Topics: drugs-and-substance-abuse, drug-offences, australia

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