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Home Office minister James Brokenshire has indicated he will take action to speed up the banning of so-called 'legal highs'.
The government is to introduce temporary year-long bans on substances while comprehensive reviews of their potential harm is carried out.
According to the crime prevention minister this will send a clear message to users that these substances carry a risk and will prevent new chemicals becoming widely available.
Ministers also set to introduce new legislation which will enable police confiscate suspected substances and allow the UK Border Agency to seize shipments entering the country.
While the penalty for supply will be 14 years in prison, those caught in possession for personal use will not be charged with a criminal offence in order to prevent the "unnecessary criminalisation" of young people.
Brokenshire said the new measures were needed as the drugs market was changing and the government needed to be able to react quicker.
"The temporary ban allows us to act straight away to stop new substances gaining a foothold in the market and help us tackle unscrupulous drug dealers trying to get round the law by peddling dangerous chemicals to young people," he said.
"However, anyone tempted to try a legal high must understand it is not safe or sensible to take a substance when you do not know what it is or what is in it - especially when some are claimed to be pond cleaner or bath salts."
The previous government came under fire in some quarters for failing to ban the then legal drug mephadrone quickly enough, after it was linked to several deaths.
The temporary banning orders, which were included in the coalition programme for government, will be introduced by the end of next year provided they are approved by Parliament.
Ministers have also suggested that drug addicts who refuse treatment could have their welfare benefits withdrawn.
The idea is in a consultation paper on the government's drug strategy for England, Wales and Scotland.
Under the plans addicts on benefits may also not be required to seek work while receiving treatment.
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