§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the oral answer of 22 March 2004,Official Report, column 551, on amphetamines, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the level of use of methamphetamine hydrochloride and (b) the effects of those trends; [163929]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of (a) methamphetamine hydrochloride and other amphetamines and (b) cocaine and crack cocaine on the (i) behaviour, (ii) psychosis and (iii) addiction of individuals when taking these drugs and on the length of time that uncharacteristic drug-induced behaviour continues while the drug remains in an individual's system; [163930]
(3) what assessment he has made of the (a) levels and (b) effects of use of (i) methamphetamine, (ii) laevoamphetamine and (iii) dextroamphetamine; [163931]
(4) what assessment he has made of the extent to which amphetamine use leads to violent and aggressive behaviour. [163932]
§ Caroline FlintThe Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs keeps the situation in respect of all controlled drugs under review. Methalamphetamine was considered at the ACMD's Technical Committee meeting on 11 March. Evidence given at the meeting suggested that the level of methalamphetamine use in the UK at present is not a significant problem, and there is no evidence to suggest it is likely to become one in the foreseeable future. The Advisory Council is to further consider the matter at its meeting on 1 April.
It was highlighted at the meeting on 11 March that methalamphetamine is a dependent inducing drug that is stronger than normal amphetamine. It has links with the development of mental illness, with users sometimes showing signs of violence, paranoia and anxiety. The effects of the drug last longer than cocaine or crack. The effects of amphetamine are similar to, but generally less severe than for methylamphetamine. Cocaine is a very dependence-inducing drug. Its harms include chest pains which can lead to potentially fatal heart problems. Crack has the same short-lived effects as cocaine but is much stronger. Crack is very addictive and chronic users are likely to suffer from mood swings, paranoia, aggression and mental illnesses.
The level of methylamphetamine use in the United Kingdom is not at present significant. In 2003 only 415 grams of methylamphetamine was seized by the police. Laevoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine are two isomers that are used to make amphetamine and are not misused separately. According to the British Crime Survey 2002–03, 1.6 per cent. of the population in England and Wales in the 16 to 59 age group have used amphetamine in the last 12 months.
No specific assessment has been carried out of the extent to which amphetamine use leads to violent and aggressive behaviour. The Advisory Council last formally considered amphetamine in November 1995. As stated above, the Advisory Council's Technical Committee considered the harms of methyalamphetamine at its meeting on 11 March.