Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in Subutex, was made a Class A Controlled Drug under the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) on 14 Aug 2006, making it an offence to import, distribute, possess or consume the drug.
From 1 October 2006, recalcitrant Buprenorphine abusers who have two previous records for consumption of opiates, synthetic drugs (i.e Methamphetamine, ‘Ecstasy’, Ketamine or Nimetazepam) or Buprenorphine and are arrested again for drug consumption will be liable for long term imprisonment under the LT imprisonment regime, if convicted.
Under the LT imprisonment regime, third-time abusers will be liable for LT1, and could face a minimum sentence of 5 yearsÂ’ imprisonment and 3 strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 7 yearsÂ’ imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane if convicted. If a subsequent offence of consumption is committed, abusers would be liable for LT 2 and could face a minimum sentence of 7 yearsÂ’ imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 13 yearsÂ’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane if convicted.
Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act lists the amount of controlled drugs beyond which, the person who carries them shall be presumed to possess them for the purpose of drug trafficking unless proven otherwise:
Opium: 100 grammes
Morphine: 3 grammes
Diamorphine (Heroin): 2 grammes
Cannabis: 15 grammes
Cannabis mixture: 30 grammes
Cannabis resin: 10 grammes
Cocaine: 3 grammes
Methamphetamine: 25 grammes
