News

Important drug legislation policy updates

The Minister for Crime Prevention, Jeremy Browne MP, has placed a temporary class drug order (TCDO) on two groups of new psychoactive substances (NPS) – the ‘NBOMe’ and ‘Benzofuran’ substances (25I-NBOMe and 5- and 6-APB respectively, including other related substances) – under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, following recommendations from the Government’s experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) regarding their harms and effects warranting temporary control.

The ACMD’s advice is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-class-drug-order-report-on-benzofury-and-nbome-compounds. The Minister for Crime Prevention’s response to the ACMD’s advice can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-class-drug-order-for-benzofury-and-nbome-compounds-letter..

The TCDO will come into force at 00.01 on Monday 10 June. Subject to Parliament’s approval within 40 days, the TCDO will remain in force for up to 12 months while the ACMD undertakes a full assessment on these two groups of NPS for consideration for permanent control under the 1971 Act.

A copy of the TCDO (SI: 2013/1294) and its accompanying documents (Explanatory Memorandum and Impact Assessment) will all be available shortly on the UK legislation website at www.legislation.gov.uk.  A Home Office Circular will also be published shortly at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/home-office-circulars-2013.

New Guidelines from UNODC

Two new documents from UNODC have been added to the "Guidelines" section of our website. The guidelines are "Recommended methods for the Identification and Analysis of Piperazines in Seized Materials" and "Recommended methods for the Identification and Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists in Seized Materials".

You can find them both here: LTG Guidelines section.

UKIAFT Conference

A meeting which includes the UKIAFT 2013 AGM will take place at University College, Dublin with dinner in the Old Jameson distillery on the 15th and 16th August 2013.
The UKIAFT is the professional body of forensic toxicologists in the United Kingdom and Ireland and was formed to provide a forum for practising forensic toxicologists. This 4th Annual Conference taking in Dublin includes the AGM and an open meeting of guest lectures, members papers and posters in addition to a student posters competition.

Scientific Sessions to include:

  • New Psychoactive Substances
  • Post Mortem Toxicology
  • Driving Under the Influence

Registration and call for abstracts and posters on UKIAFT website.

HTA Guidance for Toxicologists

Following on from the Human Tissue Act presentation at our February meeting "Coroners Toxicology - from accurate mass to accurate evidence", the LTG executive committee have been in discussion with the Human Tissue Authority regarding the provision of a guidance document specifically for toxicologists.

The Regulation Manager has compiled guidance based on the questions posed by the membership. This guidance is now open for consultation and you can read/download it from here.

Additional questions, comments and requests for clarification are invited. Please return these to jenny.button@lgcgroup.com no later than the 31st July 2013.

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