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.

In November 2011 the Home Office Select Committee launched an enquiry into UK drug policy.  In particular the focus was on the Government’s 2010 drug policy, and how effective it has been.  It was also to examine the UK policy on reducing the supply and demand of illicit drugs worldwide.

As part of the review organisations and the general public were invited to submit written submissions voicing their opinion.  Due to the interest generated the Committee have extended the date for written submissions to 7th February 2012.

The Prime Minister admitted the Government is taking tougher and more effective actions on drug-driving. A proposal is being sought to introduce a new offence of driving under the influence of drugs. The new strategy will be discussed with a panel of scientists and forensic toxicologists on thresholds for different substances.

Drug driving contributes to hundreds of deaths and injures every year. According to latest research, figures show that only in 2008, drugs were suspected of being responsible for more than 250 fatal accidents, but fewer than 170 drug-drivers were prosecuted.

Currently it is difficult for the police force to provide evidence of drug driving impairment, resulting in thousands of offenders going undetected. The Home Office is considering the introduction of a new saliva testing kit to enforce a more effective drug screening and convict criminal offenders.

Jo Bullock from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “This is a step forward in the fight against drug-driving which, together with new testing equipment, will help police catch and convict those driving under the influence of drugs”.

A report published by NHS Scotland estimates that the number of drug users in Scotland has risen by 4000 since 2006. The main increase in drug use is amongst people over 35 where the number has gone up by a third. The rise in the older generation is being cited as due to poverty and welfare cuts. The overall number of drug users is now estimated at 61,000.

In the age group 35-64 the report estimates 1 in every 100 people is now a drug user in comparison to 1 in 95 in 2006. Drug usage in those between 15-24 years and 25-34 years have both dropped during this period.

Glasgow City Council reported the highest number of individuals with problem drug use with the figure estimated at 13,900.

When asked about the rise Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham conceded that these statistics were “unacceptably high.” However she was encouraged that less young people in Scotland were abusing drugs although this does suggest that Scotland is faced with “a long legacy of drug use.”

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.