Government of Jersey

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A decision made (29.02.08) to reclassify Methylamphetamine as a Class A controlled drug.

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2008-0014
Decision Summary Title :	Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed Reclassification of Methylamphetamine		Date of Decision Summary:	19th February 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Paul McCabe – Chief Pharmacist		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed Reclassification of Methylamphetamine		Date of Written Report:	19th February 2008
Written Report Author:	Paul McCabe – Chief Pharmacist		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 – Proposed Reclassification of Methylamphetamine
Decision(s): The Minister approved the recommendations of the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council that methylamphetamine be reclassified as a Class A controlled drug under the control of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978
Reason(s) for Decision: Methylamphetamine is currently controlled as a Class B controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. The Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council has recommended that methylamphetamine be reclassified as a Class A controlled drug.
Resource Implications: None
Action required: To approve the recommendations of the Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council that methylamphetamine be reclassified as a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 Chief Pharmacist to request the Law Draftsman to prepare an order on the basis of a brief to be provided by the Department.
Signature: Senator Ben Shenton		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed: 29 February 2008		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Misuse of Drugs Law 1978 - Reclassification of Methylamphetamine

STATES OF JERSEY

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978

Proposed Reclassification of Methylamphetamine

1. Issue

The Minister is requested to consider reclassifying methylamphetamine (also known as ‘crystal meth’ or ‘ice’) as a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978. Methylamphetamine is currently a Class B drug.

2. Introduction

The Misuse of Drugs Advisory Council (MDAC) is established in accordance with Article 2 of the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978 and has a duty to advise the Minister on measures, which in its opinion, should be taken to prevent the misuse of drugs and/or to deal with the social problems connected with drug abuse.

3. Background

The MDAC has given consideration to a proposal to reclassify methylamphetamine, currently a Class B controlled drug, as a Class A controlled drug. Reclassification to a Class A drug is considered necessary due to the harm and otherwise adverse impact of methylamphetamine on the user and the potential for its misuse to cause serious social problems.

Methylamphetamine is a harmful drug, possession of and activities in relation to which will become subject to more severe criminal sanctions following reclassification to Class A

As a Class A drug, the maximum penalty for unauthorised production, supply or possession with intent to supply methylamphetamine will be increased to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The maximum sentence for the offence of possession of methylamphetamine will be increased to 7 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The U.K. reclassified methylamphetamine in January 2007

The MDAC therefore recommended that methylamphetamine should be reclassified as a Class A drug under Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs (Jersey) Law 1978

4. Recommendation

The Minister is requested to approve the proposal made by the MDAC that methylamphetamine be reclassified as a Class A drug and to direct the Chief Pharmacist to request the Law Draftsman to prepare the necessary order based upon a brief to be prepared by the Department.

Paul McCabe

Chief Pharmacist

19th February 2008