---

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2005

My Lords, I am most grateful to both noble Lords for their support for the order. They both made useful points. The noble Viscount, Lord Bridgeman, asked about the consultation, and the noble Lord, Lord Dholakia, raised the importance of education and working with other jurisdictions. I shall respond to both points. With regard to the matter raised by the noble Viscount, the consultation document was sent to approximately 100 trade organisations, medical bodies and other interested parties. As I said, the consultation was held between March and June this year. Of the 26 responses, all bar two supported the measure to bring ketamine under the Act. The Transform Drug Policy Foundation was opposed to the measure and, in a sense, its approach was consistent with its opposition to the prohibition of drugs. Transform, as an organisation, advocates a government-regulated drugs market, as the noble Viscount probably knows. The Government have firmly rejected that position on a number of occasions. The other organisation that opposed the measure was Release, on the grounds that it could lead to the further incrimination of young people. While one can understand that, it ignores ketamine’s obvious potential for a damaging impact on young people, particularly when it is taken with other drugs. Obviously, we carefully consider representations made. We have absolutely no hesitation, however, in adding this to the controlled drugs list, and classifying it as recommended by the advisory committee. The noble Lord, Lord Dholakia, made perfectly sensible points about the importance of working to advise and educate people. We see that as an important element in our overall strategy. It is about a balance of enforcement, education, prevention and treatment. Since coming into office in 1997, the Government have invested considerable resources in enabling people to kick the habit and to understand the personal and social impact of drug taking. I am sure the noble Lord is well aware of the massively increased investment inside and outside of the criminal justice system to reach that objective. We are receiving plaudits for that, and are now beginning to see some clear evidence of the success of our overall drugs strategy. The noble Lord, Lord Dholakia, also made the important point that the Government need to work with other administrations to cut off the line of supply. I agree completely with him. We had intelligence, particularly from the Indian subcontinent, about the way in which this drug was being reprocessed so that it was able to come here in the form of rosewater. We know exactly from which part of the subcontinent the drug has been originating. That is why we have adopted this approach and decided to classify it as a class C drug to enable customs enforcement. I am grateful and delighted that we are going to have the support of your Lordships’ House for the order. On Question, Motion agreed to.