‘Designer’ drugs on banned list

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 31

‘Designer’ drugs on banned list

PA Wellington Health Department officials have banned 17 “designer” drugs based on amphetamines and their drug advisory committee is considering outlawing another drug not now covered by laws. The health officials say designer drugs — formulated to slip though loopholes in legislation — are causing legal headaches in other countries. They are chemical derivatives of commonly known illegal drugs such as heroin and morphine, slightly altered in their chemical make-up so that they are

not covered by drug laws. One gram of such a substance was posted to Wellington earlier this year, but as the drug was not mentioned in law, the package was forwarded to its addressee. The department’s advisory committee is considering outlawing that drug. Dr Ralph Risely, a medical officer in the department, said 17 designer drugs were being added to the schedule of illegal drugs.

The committee researched derivatives of amphetamines, stimulants now seldom used medi-

cally, looking at their uses and dangers and comparing them with drugs already outlawed. Dr Risely said the 17 drugs represented a very small part of the designer drug problem. Most designer drugs were being made in other countries, particularly the United States, but the technology and know-how would reach New Zealand, he said. The process was similar to making homebake, although homebakers made morphine and heroin, recognised as illegal substances.