§ 62. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the large number of cases before the courts in recent weeks involving the illegal possession by young persons in St. Pancras and elsewhere in London of drinamyl tablets, also known as purple hearts; and what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that these tablets contain an addictive drug and are injurious to health.
§ 64 and 65. Mr. Parkinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to make illegal the possession of all compounds containing amphetamine and its derivatives including dexamphetamine except when they have been prescribed for the person possessing them;
(2) whether he will take steps to impose a control of the wholesale and retail sale of amphetamine and its derivatives similar to that imposed by the Dangerous Drugs Acts on other substances.
§ Mr. BrookeI am gravely concerned about the misuse of amphetamine-like drugs, especially by young people. I have drawn the attention of the pharmaceutical industry to the need to take closer precautions to ensure that such drugs do not get into the hands of those who traffic in or misuse them. I am also in contact with the Pharmaceutical Society about retail trade in these drugs. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health86W has recently suggested to the medical profession steps to make forgery or alteration of prescriptions for drugs of this kind more difficult and to avoid the prescription of drugs which are not needed for therapeutic purposes. If further action proves necessary, I will not hesitate to take it.