Synthetic drug manufacturers now face up to four years behind bars and a fine of nearly $50,000 after new legislation passed through Parliament.

Changes to the ‘Misuse of Drugs Act’ were approved yesterday making it illegal to manufacture, sell, supply and advertise so-called ‘psychoactive substances’.

Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says the new laws don’t only apply to synthetic ‘drugs’.

Rob Bridge’s son Preston died in an accident after taking synthetic drugs in 2013. He is now campaigning to raise enough funds to take his anti-synthetic drugs program into schools across Australia.

He spoke with Adam Shand about the dangers of synthetic drugs.