Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD)
The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2000 (the Act) established the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to provide expert advice to the Minister of Health regarding drug classification issues.
The EACD:
conducts reviews of controlled drugs and other narcotic or psychotropic substances
recommends to the Minister of Health whether and how such substances should be classified
increases public awareness of its work by (for instance) releasing papers, reports and recommendations.
The EACD has released the following papers:
Aminorex - October 2002
This paper considers the central nervous system stimulant aminorex - a drug that was used in the past as an appetite suppressant and has amphetamine-like effects.
Aminorex is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the Act). The Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) recommends to the Minister of Health that aminorex be classified as a Third Schedule Part 5 controlled drug (Class C5).
Amphetamine - May 2004
This paper presents evidence on the risk of harm associated with amphetamine.
Amphetamine is currently a controlled drug under Part 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act's Second Schedule.
This paper offers arguments in support of reclassifying amphetamine under Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Act, so as to better reflect the risk of harm associated with the drug.
Benzylpiperazine (BZP) - April 2004
The Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) considered benzylpiperazine (BZP) and related substances at its meeting of 19 March 2004.
It concluded that there was insufficient information available on which to base a recommendation to classify these substances in the schedules of the Misuse of Drugs Act.1975. However, the EACD brings to your attention some matters the committee members considered important and which, if acted on, may form the basis for reconsideration by the EACD.
Ephedrine - November 2003
This paper considers ephedrine, a key precursor chemical used in the illicit production of methamphetamine. Ephedrine has legitimate uses, including as a prescription medicine for a number of ailments. The classification suggested for the EACD's consideration of ephedrine was that of Schedule 3 (Part 5).
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Related Substances (Fantasy) - December 2001
This paper considers gamma-hydroxybutyric acid ('GHB') and three GHB-related substances:
- 1,4-Butanediol ('1,4-B')
- Gamma butyrolactone ('GBL')
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid ('GABA').
Such substances are commonly called 'Fantasy' and all have related 'class' effects.
These substances are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the Act). After considering the available evidence, the EACD recommends that these drugs should be classified in Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the Act (ie, B1).
MDMA (3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) May 2004
This paper presents evidence on the risk of harm associated with 3,4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], an amphetamine-type stimulant with hallucinogenic qualities.
MDMA is currently a controlled drug under Part 2 of the Second Schedule of the Act. Based on the evidence presented in this paper, the EACD recommends that presumption for supply of MDMA be set at 5 grams or more of MDMA, whether or not it is contained in a substance, preparation or mixture.
Methamphetamine - October 2002
This paper presents evidence on the risk of harm associated with methamphetamine, a powerful central nervous system stimulant. The information presented adheres to the criteria set out by the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2000, and provides evidence in support of the reclassification of methamphetamine.
4-methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA) - October 2002
4-MTA is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the Act). This advice determines that the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) recommends to the Associate Minister of Health that 4-MTA be classified in Part Two of the Second Schedule (Class B2).
Pemoline - October 2002
This paper considers the central nervous system stimulant pemoline - a substance that has been used to treat attention deficit disorder overseas. It has also been abused in some countries because of its amphetamine-like stimulant effects (Marnell 1999).
Pemoline is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (the Act). This assessment proposes that the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) considers recommending to the Minister of Health that pemoline be classified as a Third Schedule (Class C) Part 5 controlled drug.
Pseudoephedrine - June 2003
This paper considers pseudoephedrine (PSE) a key precursor chemical used in the illicit production of methamphetamine. PSE has a number of legitimate uses, including as an ingredient of pharmacy cough and cold products.
A classification suggested for the EACDs consideration of PSE is that of Schedule 3 (Part 3).
