XN000022-1994-05-18 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1994

10

BILLS TO MEET STANDARDS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

* * * * *

TWO BILLS SEEKING TO BRING THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE 1988 UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY WERE THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1994.

MOVING THE SECOND READINGS OF THE BILLS, THE ACTING SECRETARY SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID THEY SOUGHT ΤΟ INTRODUCE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORTS OF DANGEROUS DRUGS

FOR

THEY ALSO PROVIDE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF NARCOTIC DRUGS PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES COVERED BY THE CONVENTION; AND SEEK TO INTRODUCE NEW PROVISIONS TO SUPPRESS ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC BY SEA.

AND

MR WOODHOUSE SAID SPECIFICALLY, THE BILL AIMED TO:

* INCLUDE CANNABIS RESIN AS A DANGEROUS DRUG,

CANNABIS;

SEPARATELY FROM

* EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST TO CULTIVATE CANNABIS AND SYNTHESISE DANGEROUS DRUGS, WHERE NECESSARY, IN DISCHARGING HIS DUTIES;

* REPEAL A PRESUMPTION RELATING TO POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS

DRUG WHICH WAS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS;

* DELEGATE THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO AMEND THE SECOND SCHEDULE CONCERNING PRESCRIBED HOSPITALS AND INSTITUTIONS TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY;

* LIMIT THE POWER OF ENTRY AND SEARCH WITHOUT A WARRANT ΤΟ SITUATIONS WHERE IT WAS NOT REASONABLY PRACTICABLE TO OBTAIN ONE, IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PROVISION COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AND TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR THE ISSUING OF WARRANTS; AND

* LOWER THE CONCENTRATION OF CODEINE IN COUGH PREPARATIONS TO

WHICH THE ORDINANCE APPLIED.

ΤΟ MEET

THE UNDER

HE ADDED THAT THESE AMENDMENTS WERE INTRODUCED OPERATIONAL NEED TO DISCHARGE THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

THE ORDINANCE.

DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.

/11