Synthetic drugs inquiry needed: Greens

THE Australian Greens will push for a Senate inquiry into how best to deter the rising use of synthetic drugs.

But the minor party wants to avoid a "tough on drugs" approach, saying the issue should be dealt with on a health, rather than a criminal, basis.

"Dealing with the risks of synthetic drugs is a very complex proposition and it won't be solved with simplistic solutions," Greens health spokesman Richard Di Natale said on Tuesday.

The rise of synthetic drugs hit national headlines in June when Sydney teenager Henry Kwan plunged from a balcony after taking a synthetic form of LSD, prompting NSW to ban the drugs.

A 120-day federal ban was also put in place, but Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said on Sunday various state laws meant there was no need to extend it.

Senator Di Natale said a Senate inquiry was needed to find the best response to dealing with the problem and pointed to the New Zealand model of regulation based on health and safety grounds.

"The emerging synthetic drugs industry is a relatively new and growing issue in Australia," he said in a statement.

"The old parties seem keen to double-down on the old 'tough on drugs' rhetoric and continue to push for a law-and-order response.

"The status quo is unacceptable and we need to take a measured approach that ensures we put the health of the community first."

So-called synthetic highs are becoming increasingly popular among recreational users.

Some 44 per cent of regular drug users used an emerging psychoactive substances (EPS) - including synthetic cannabis - in the previous six months, the latest National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre survey shows.

This was up from 40 per cent in 2012.

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