GOVT PLANS TO CHANGE DRUGS' CLASSIFICATION

Wellington: The Government plans to upgrade the classification of
amphetamine or "speed" and ecstasy or "E" as Class B1 controlled drugs.

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton said yesterday reclassifying ecstasy
would better reflect the increasing risk of harm it posed.

The reclassification for amphetamine meant police would be better able to
take immediate action when they suspected speed was involved in
drug-related offending.

A B1 classification allows police to search and seize without a warrant. Mr
Anderton said anyone possessing 5g or more of speed, or 100 flakes, tablets
or capsules containing at least some amphetamine, would be considered a
supplier under the law.

At present, only those possessing 56g or more were considered to be a supplier.

He said the present 5g presumption of supply for ecstasy would be extended
to better ensure all forms of the drug were caught.

Mr Anderton said he had accepted the advice of the expert advisory
committee on drugs when moving to reclassify speed and ecstasy from B2 to
B1 controlled drugs.

Regarding speed, factors the committee considered included: The increasing
prevalence of amphetamine use and importation into New Zealand; high risk
of harm from amphetamine use; and evidence of drug substitution between
amphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulant drugs.

When assessing ecstasy, the committee considered: The sharply rising
prevalence of ecstasy; mounting evidence that ecstasy-type drugs have a
neurotoxic effect; and it seems likely to be proven to produce moderate
dependency.

There had been three ecstasy-related deaths since 1998 and surveys
indicated there had been an increase in ecstasy use.

The majority of Parliament has to agree before a drug is reclassified.