Three Synthetic Drugs to be banned

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is taking a pre-emptive strike against three synthetic drugs before their misuse picks up here or leads to a fatality.

From Monday, BZP (1-benzylpiperatzine), TFMPP (1-3 trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine) and mephedrone (4-methyl-methacathinone) which are abused as ecstasy substitutes abroad and have reportedly caused deaths will be banned.

The three drugs which are controlled drugs in some other countries including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand are not openly sold here but are known to be brought in while labelled under bath salts and plant fertilisers.

Consumption of the three drugs causes euphoria and heightens alertness when consumed.  However, they could lead to side effects such as seizures, psychosis, heart palptations and nausea.

In some other countries it is sold as plant food.  CNB’s consultants with the Trade and Industry Ministry, Agri-food and Veterinary Authority and the Health Authorities here confirmed that there was no known legitimate use for these drugs in industry, research or medicine.

Media first reported in February that some party goers in Singapore were consuming mephedrone, a controlled drug in countries including Denmark, China, Germany and Sweden.   

Drugs abusers told that they purchased their supplies off the Internet for about $30 a gram.  Mephedrone sellers state on the packaging that chemical is “not for human consumption” although it has no known use as a fertiliser for plants.

According to the CNB, there was no feedback that the abuse of these drugs was on the rise here, BZP and TFMPP come under the piperazines family.   

A separate component within this family which is found in products sold legally in pet shops here to de-worm dogs, will not be categorised as a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

BZP and TFMPP are sold in the black market in tablet form.  From Monday anyone convicted of using them can be jailed up to 10 years, fined $20,000 or both.  Traffickers can be jailed between 5 and 20 years and given between 5 and 15 strokes of the cane.

So do not try them and think twice on the consequences?  Don’t play play!!