Misuse Of Drugs Brings Legislation In Britain

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 16

Misuse Of Drugs Brings Legislation In Britain

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, March 31. The British Government today published a bill aimed at strengthening controls over “pep pills” such as “Purple Hearts,” whose use by teen-agers is causing increasing concern. The bill, called the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Bill, will impose additional controls on certain kinds of drugs being used for nontherapeutic purposes.

It will make it an offence for anyone to be in unauthorised possession of “pep-pills” or to import them without a licence. Offences against either of these provisions will be made punishable by fines of up to £2OO or six months’ imprisonment, or both. Drugs of the amphetamine type, commonly known as “pep-pills” have valuable therapeutic uses and are prescribed by many doctors for the treatment of depression and for slimming purposes—but some people in Britain misuse them, taking excessive quantities for “kicks” or for keeping awake for long periods. A considerable illicit trade has grown up to meet this demand. Official sources said the most popular on the black market seemed to be “purple hearts,” tablets containing a mixture of amphetamine and barbiturate. Other pills, however, are similarly misused. Varying Effects Effects vary according to the type of drug and the quantity taken. All these drugs and others with similar effects are at present controlled under the Poisons Act, which means they can be obtained only on prescription from an authorised seller of poisons—that is from the chemist’s shop. Some illicit supplies came from thefts.

But it is believed as there is at present nothing to pre-

vent the drugs being brought into the country quantities may also be imported. Under the existing law it is not an offence to possess the drugs though they may not have been obtained on a prescription—unless they have been stolen.