Controlled Drugs
How controlled drugs are
classified
Some prescription drugs contain ingredients that are controlled
under Misuse of Drugs laws. These are called controlled drugs. The
law controls these drugs to prevent them being misused, obtained
illegally or causing harm.
Controlled drugs are classified by law based on their benefit
when they're used as medicine and their harm if misused. Controlled
drugs are divided into "schedules".
Schedule one
The highest level of control but drugs in this group are
virtually never used in medicines. Even a pharmacist can only
possess schedule one drugs with a license from the government. They
are usually used for research.
Includes: LSD, coca leaf, ecstasy, LSD, raw opium and psilocin
(which comes from magic mushrooms).
Schedules two to four
This covers the majority of controlled drugs and includes most
of those you would get from the pharmacy. It is illegal to pass on
part of a prescription to someone else.
Schedule two
These drugs are strictly recorded and kept in pharmacies.
Includes: amphetamines, cocaine, dihydrocodeine (DF 118s), Diconal,
heroin, methadone, morphine, opium in medicinal form, pethedine and
Ritalin.
Schedule three
There are restrictions on how these are
prescribed. Includes: barbiturates, Rohypnol and temazepam
tranquillisers.
Schedule four
These drugs have been divided into two. Part one covers most
minor tranquillisers (other than Rohypnol and temazepam) and eight
other substances. It means that it's illegal to possess minor
tranquillisers without a prescription. Part two drugs covers
anabolic steroids. It's legal to possess them without a
prescription but illegal to supply to them to other people.
Schedule five
These are the most casually controlled. You can get most of them
without prescription over-the-counter at the chemist and it's legal
to posses them. Includes: cough medicines and mild
painkillers.
Cannabis and the law