PURPOSE: to subject 4-methylamphetamine to control measures.
PROPOSED ACT: Implementing Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to follow its opinion.
BACKGROUND: in compliance with Council Decision 2005/387/JHA on the information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances, the Scientific Committee of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) assessed the risks on the new psychoactive substance 4-methylamphetamine. The risk assessment report was subsequently submitted to the Commission and to the Council on 29 November 2012.
4-methylamphetamine is a synthetic ring-methylated derivative of amphetamine. It has emerged on the illicit amphetamine market where it is sold and used as the controlled drug, amphetamine.
There has been one report of the substance being detected in a commercial product sold on the internet.
According to the limited data sources available, the acute toxicity of 4-methylamphetamine is similar to that of other stimulants. There have been a total of 21 fatalities registered in four Member States where 4-methylamphetamine alone, or in combination with one or more substances, especially amphetamine, has been detected in post-mortem samples.
4-methylamphetamine has been detected in 15 Member States, while one Member State has reported the manufacture of the substance on its territory. Eight Member States control the substance under drug control legislation. The information available suggests that 4-methylamphetamine is produced and distributed by the same organised crime groups that are involved in the manufacture and trafficking of amphetamine.
The Risk Assessment Report reveals that there is limited scientific evidence available on the characteristics and risks of 4-methylamphetamine and points out that further studies are required on the overall health and social risks associated with the substance.
However, the evidence available provides sufficient grounds for subjecting 4-methylamphetamine to control measures across the Union. As a result of the health risks it poses, as documented by its detection in several reported fatalities, especially when used in combination with other substances, of its strong resemblance in terms of appearance and effects with amphetamine, of the fact that users may unknowingly consume the substance, and of its limited medical value or use, 4-methylamphetamine should be subjected to control measures across the Union.
CONTENT: this proposal aims to invite the Member States to subject the new psychoactive substance 4-methylamphetamine to control measures across the Union.
Decision 2013/129/EU ceases to produce effects from the date of entry into force of this Decision, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limit for subjecting 4-methylamphetamine to control measures and criminal penalties in their national laws.
The United Kingdom shall not take part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.