Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Brian Iddon (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 8 February 2010 on behalf of the Home Office.

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Question: As we consider substances in the cathinone group of chemicals—that includes khat, by the way, which is used by people from the horn of Africa—is there not a danger that, as we put more and more substances into the ABC classification, we merely displace the problem? There is an endless list of chemicals and natural products that chemists can supply on to the market. Is there not also a danger of displacing illicit drug users to using products in the legal market?

Answer: I accept that there may be a danger. That is why the ACMD is composed not only of scientists, but of others, including police officers, others from law enforcement agencies and so on. It is very important that I take the council's advice, and its advice will be much wider than just the classification; it will also look at the kind of issues that my hon. Friend raises.

Secondary information