Benzodiazepine

HC Deb 21 October 1999 vol 336 cc623-4W

Mr. Woolas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the classification of benzodiazepine drugs; [93721]

(2) what action he is taking to prevent the illegal trade of benzodiazepine drugs. [93720]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The benzodiazepine drugs are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as Class C drugs. They have licit uses as medicines and are subject to controls on their production and supply. They are currently exempted, however, from controls on their import, export and on their possession unless in base form.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which advises the Government on drug misuse issues reviewed the controls on, and misuse of, these drugs last year. It recommended that additional controls should be introduced on their import, export and possession. The Government are actively considering the Advisory Council's recommendations.