Misuse of Drugs

Much legislation enacted by governments relating to such matters as pollution of the atmosphere and of rivers, the monitoring of foodstuffs, the control of substances hazardous to health, the misuse of drugs, and many others are dependent upon the work of analytical chemists for implementation. 

Heroin and other opiates are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act making it illegal to possess them or to supply them to other people without a prescription. Heroin is treated as a Class A drug where the maximum penalties are 7 years imprisonment and a fine for possession and life imprisonment and a fine for supply. 

Ecstasy is a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal to be in possession of or to supply it and the drug cannot be prescribed by doctors. The maximum penalties for possession of Ecstasy is 7 years imprisonment plus a fine and for supply is life imprisonment plus a fine. 

Where the medicinal product in question is a controlled drug within the Misuse of Drugs legislation, additional controls will apply. Drugs are classified in various schedules according to their perceived risk of harm. In the case of most of the products covered by the legislation, it will be necessary to obtain a licence from the home office in order to import the product from another country. 

Additional restrictions on supply are imposed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Substances that have a potential for abuse are scheduled under three categories. Class A, B and C. 

ACMD (2003) Hidden Harm Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users The Report of an Inquiry by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. London Home Office. 

A second change has been a great emphasis on treatment aimed at crime reduction, with expansion of services in the UK and elsewhere which can really be seen as another wave , following the major one in the 1990s after the recognition of the HIV threat (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs 1989). Many schemes have been set up to enable diversion ... 

Adrian M (2001). Do treatments and other interventions work Some critical issues. Substance Use and Misuse, 36, 1759-80 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs... 

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (1982) Treatment and Rehabilitation, London HMSO. 

The Treatment and Rehabilitation Report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended adaption of a problem-orientated approach, but many clinicians feel that too little guidance has been given on how such an approach should be used in practice.11... 

Advisory Committee on Alcoholism, report (1978) 172, 173, 177 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, report (1982) 137, 156,... 

The Misuse of Drug Acts A Guide for Forensic Scientists... 

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) and other performance-enhancing drugs are added to the United Kingdom Misuse of Drugs Act. 

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