DANGEROUS DRUGS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 14

DANGEROUS DRUGS

Bill To Tighten Control

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 25. The Health Department is powerless to police the distribution of such drugs as preludrin, which was mentioned recently in a cable from London as capable of producing hallucinations. Firmer control over preludrin and other drugs is understood to be contained in a new Poisons Bill, which is now being drafted. Some authorities suggest, however, that delays in the drafting of this legislation may mean that it will not come down this session, and that the control of many potentially dangerous drugs, may remain in the hands of .several unrelated bodies. "We have not done anything about it so far.” said a Health Department spokesman today when he was asked if supplies of preludrin were available in New Zealand. “We have had no reports of its misuse. This is the sort of matter which could be handled through the Pharmacy Board, on a medical ethics basis.” Another authority outlined the present difficulties in the way of exercising complete control over drugs which might be harmful in inexperienced hands. “There are a number of drugs coming in these days which have a psychological as well as a pharmacological bearing.” he said "These drugs, some of which might loosely be called ‘pep-up’ drugs, have a pronounced effect on the nervous system. Their rightful place is in mental hospitals, but they are not always confined there.” It is understood that one of the provisions of the Poisons Bill is to bring the control of potentially dangerous drugs under one authority, and to remove confusion and duplication which could exist under the present system.