Wednesday 16 May 2012
The Home Department, in association with the Health and Social Services Department, is introducing a ban on the import and export of Methoxetamine (also known as mexxy or MXE) for both commercial and personal use quantities.
The Home Department, in association with the Health and Social Services Department, is introducing a ban on the import and export of Methoxetamine (also known as mexxy or MXE) for both commercial and personal use quantities.
The UK Home Office recently introduced a 12-month ban under the misuse of drugs legislation, following advice received from the UK's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
The ACMD advised that the pattern of adverse effects reported following acute use of methoxetamine is similar to that seen with acute ketamine toxicity - including hallucinations, catatonia and dissociative effects. Methoxetamine appears to also present significant additional toxicity, the effects of which include agitation, cardiovascular effects including tachycardia (a fast heart rate) and hypertension (a high blood pressure) and cerebellar features such as ataxia (unsteadiness on the feet).
The implementation of an importation/exportation ban locally will, in the view of both departments, enable the Bailiwick to minimise the risk of harm. The local Misuse of Drugs Advisory Group will in the coming months be considering the latest evidence before deciding whether to recommend control of Methoxetamine under the Misuse of Drugs Law.
The full import/export ban will come into force on 1st June 2012 and will be brought about by the introduction of the following entry onto the schedules of goods controlled under import and export:
(a) 2-(ethylamino)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanone,
(b) any stereoisomeric form of 2-(ethylamino)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanone,
(c) any salt of a substance specified in subparagraph (a) or (b), or
(d) any preparation or other product containing a substance specified in any of subparagraphs (a) to (c).".
The effect of this ban will be to make it illegal to import or export any amount of the substance anywhere in the Bailiwick unless a licence has been issued. As of 1 June 2012 any person attempting to import such goods without a licence, either in person or by placing an online order, will be committing an offence and may face criminal proceedings.
-ENDS-
Contact Information
Rob Prow, Chief of the Guernsey Border Agency
Tel: 01481 741 400
Ed Freestone, Assistant Director SPE and Chief Pharmacist
Tel: 01481 725 241
