Pino Arlacchi (S&D), in writing. - I am in favour of this proposal because it aims to bring the new psychoactive substances under the same criminal law provisions as other substances controlled under the UN conventions. Psychoactive substances, like many other drugs, are a threat to society, affecting the functioning of the brain which creates symptoms such as changes in consciousness, behaviour and cognition. Tackling the distribution of psychoactive substances is not to be underestimated. Though Member States do have their own policies on tackling illicit drugs, when psychoactive substances are being distributed from one Member State to another efficient cooperation between Member States is indispensable, especially in an era when commerce and communication are no longer limited by physical and geographical boundaries.