News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 15 September 2011
New psychoactive
substances found in so-called 'legal high' brand
'Ivory Wave' are to become controlled Class B
drugs, the government signalled today.
The psychoactive substance Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP) is to be
controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class B
substance, along with structurally related compounds to ensure
that alternatives cannot be developed to avoid the ban.
The move follows advice from the Advisory Council on the
Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published this week. The ACMD found the
health effects of 2-DPMP and its related compounds are similar to
those of Class B drugs and have the potential to cause harm.
An initial recommendation from the ACMD to put in place an
import ban on 2-DPMP was accepted and implemented by the
government in November 2010.
An Order making the substance illegal will be put before
Parliament this autumn. The Order will also seek to make
phenazepam, also used as a 'legal high', a Class
C drug along with other benzodiazepines following ACMD advice in July.
Baroness Browning, Minister for Crime Prevention and
Antisocial Behaviour Reduction, said:
"The ACMD's advice on 'Ivory
Wave' reinforces what we already know - that substances
touted as 'legal highs' contain dangerous and
potentially illegal substances.
"Young people in particular may often equate legal
with "safe" and are quite simply playing a high
risk game of lottery by taking substances without knowing what
they contain or their potentially harmful effects.
"We are determined to tackle the harms posed by
these drugs and prevent them gaining a foothold in the UK. The
generic definition will ensure those trying to profit from this
market cannot get round the ban.
"Controlling these substances sends a clear message
to users, including young people who may be considering using
them, as well as to those producing and supplying them."
The government is working closely with the ACMD to gain a
fuller, independent picture on the harms of illegal drugs and new
substances entering the UK. The ACMD is preparing its thematic
advice on tackling the legal high market as a government priority
in its work programme.
At the same time the government is taking a range of actions, including:
* legislative proposals in the Police Reform and Social
Responsibility Bill for a new 12-month 'temporary banning
order' will allow the government to take immediate action
to protect the public while the ACMD fully assess the harms posed
by new substances;
* the Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) aims to improve
our ability to identify new drugs coming into the UK market,
putting the UK at the forefront of international efforts to tackle
the issue. It includes developing a co-ordinated UK-wide approach
to laboratory testing and analysis of drug seizures, as well as
wider test purchasing. Samples taken by FEWS at festivals over the
summer including Relentless, T in the Park, Glastonbury and
Bestival are now being analysed;
* law enforcement agencies are already working closely with
international partners to prevent drugs reaching our streets in
the first place and we are creating a new border policing command
as part of the National Crime Agency to better tackle
international drug gangs;
* this month the Home Office will issue information about the
dangers of 'legal highs' among young people
through a student survival pack as part of Freshers Week; and
* continue to spread information about the harms of drugs and
'legal highs' among young people and parents
through the FRANK service. More information about drugs and
substances, including 'legal highs', can be
found by visiting www.talktofrank.com, calling 0800 776600 or
texting 82111 for free, confidential advice.
092/2011
Notes to editors
1. The government first referred 2-DPMP to the ACMD for
advice in September last year.
2. ACMD's official advice to the government, and
more about the advisory council can be found at:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/acmd/
3. Test purchasing and forensic testing of 'Ivory
Wave' samples have shown that one of its constituents is
Desoxypipradrol (also known as 2-diphenylmethylpiperidine
(2-DPMP)), which is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Other consitutents of sample Ivory Wave have included
Methylenediooxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone, both of which
are controlled drugs.
4. The compound structure of 2-DPMP is closely related to
methylphenidate (Ritalin), which is controlled as a class B drug
and has similar effects to amphetamines.
5. The Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS) is part of the
Home Office's research facility and was introduced
earlier this year to improve the government's ability to
identify new drugs coming into the UK. It includes developing a
coordinated UK-wide approach to laboratory testing and analysis of
drug seizures, as well as wider test purchasing.
6. The announcement on phenazepam was made on 22 July (this
included an import ban pending Class C drug control under the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971)
7. The government launched its drug strategy in December 2010
which can be found here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/drug-strategy-2010/
8. For further information please contact the Home Office
Press Office on 020 7035 3535.
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk