Changes to the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (“the MDA 1971”) to control 22 substances, along with 2-benzyl benzimidazole variants (nitazenes) falling under a new generic definition, under that Act. Further changes to also schedule those substances under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3998) (“the MDR 2001”) and, where appropriate, designate them under the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (England, Wales and Scotland) Order 2015 (SI 2015/704) (“the 2015 Order”).

The MDA 1971 controls drugs that are “dangerous or otherwise harmful”. Schedule 2 to the MDA 1971 specifies these drugs and groups them in three categories – Part 1 lists drugs known as Class A drugs, Part 2 lists Class B drugs and Part 3 lists Class C drugs. The three-tier system of classification (A, B and C) provides a framework within which criminal penalties are set with reference to the harm that a drug has, or is capable of having, when misused, and the type of illegal activity undertaken with regards to that drug. Control under the MDA 1971 also brings those substances previously captured by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 outside the ambit of that Act.

See also, sections on Acyl piperazine opioids, A generic definition for 2-benzyl benzimidazole variants (nitazenes), Novel benzodiazepines and related compounds, Xylazine, Methoxyphenidine