Legal high Methoxetamine, also known as “mexxy” which is being sold as a safe alternative to ketamine has been referred to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in a bid to impose a temporary banning order.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Minister for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction Lord Henley reiterated “It is important for those considering using these drugs to understand that just because a substance is legal, it does not mean it is safe and should not be seen as a safer alternative to illegal substances.”

The Government’s drugs advisers have been given 20 working days in order to recommend whether it should be outlawed for 12 months under a Temporary Class Drug Order.  This would mean the substance would illegal for a year while further investigations are carried out.  During this period the advisor’s would decide whether it should be placed under permanent control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The Home Office has officially responded to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs advice regarding diphenylprolinol (D2PM) and diphenylmethylpyrrolidine.  The substances can produce similar effects to methamphetamine or cocaine.

On November 15th a ban on the importation on the  drugs was announced.  In an open letter to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) Lord Henley, Minister of State for Crime Prevention and Antisocial Behaviour Reduction, thanked the ACMD for their recommendations and confirmed that a draft order was in place to seek approval from Parliament to ban the substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

A full ban is expected on March 28th 2012.

Fifteen police forces across the UK carried out tests for an official enquiry conducted by the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). They determined that traces of cocaine can be found on 11% of UK banknotes.  A rise of 7% since 2005. They also found that the majority of cocaine in the UK is being cut with MDMA, widely known as ecstasy.

Detective Chief Inspector Trevor Williamson, the drugs co-ordinator for the Association of Chief Police Officers believes that the rise in cocaine consumption could be due to changes in alcohol licensing laws which have allowed licensed premises such as bars and clubs to stay open for longer periods.  This could also be a factor for increasing numbers of violent offences.

Cocaine usage in the UK is the highest in Europe.

The UK Government body, the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs will hold its next meeting on December 1st and is inviting members of the public to attend.  The subject matter for discussion is the harms of cocaine use.

Those wishing to attend the Central London event must first register.  Successful applicants will receive an email to confirm admission to the meeting which will also include a short question and answer session.

This week the Home Office and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) agreed and published their new working protocol. Increased emphasis has been placed on the advisory process to use the temporary control power, in particular “legal highs”. An announcement has been made to temporarily control Diphenylprolinol (D2PM) and diphenylmethyl-pyrrolidine. The substances are closely linked to chemicals found in the “legal high” Ivory Wave.

The ban is for a period of up to one year. During that time the ACMD will access the harm the substances pose so they can advise the government.