Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 July 2006.

Drugs: Methamphetamine

Question: What consultations they have had with authorities in the United States concerning the illegal drug methamphetamine; and whether they will introduce legislation to inhibit unlawful access to, and possession of, the component elements required to manufacture this drug.

Answer: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the independent expert body that advises Government on drug misuse issues, has recently recommended that the Government reclassify methylamphetamine from a class B drug to a class A drug. During its deliberations the council closely considered the international experience, including that of the USA. Prior to making the recommendation, the ACMD monitored and considered related articles on the methylamphetamine situation in the United States and elsewhere. The ACMD has also been in close liaison with agencies including ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) and Her Majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who have direct links with equivalent authorities in the United States in relation to methylamphetamine. The ACMD, in its report on methylamphetamine published in November 2005, recommended that methylamphetamine precursors should be controlled by being added to the European precursor legislation. The ACMD further recommended the removal of the exemption on ephedrine tablets under the European precursor legislation. The Home Office has accepted these recommendations in full and work is currently underway in taking them forward.

Secondary information