THE Narcotics
Control Bureau (NCB) hopes joint efforts between the government and private
sector would block attempts to produce synthetic drugs, such as methampetamine,
ecstasy, ketamine and hallucinogens, in the country.
"Effective monitoring and control over the movement of precursor
chemicals is key in our efforts to stop the production of very dangerous
synthetic drugs," said NCB Director Hj Abdul Aziz Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya
Hj Othman (pictured).
Precursors are agents for producing synthetic drugs. Such drugs have a
chemical structure that is akin to organic drugs "but it is designed to
enhance the impact of ... addiction and stimulation to the consumer", said
the director.
Hj Abdul Aziz stated that the authorities responsible for monitoring
chemical precursors are the NCB, the Royal Customs and Excise Department and
the Department of Pharmacy Services.
"These authorities (were) established under Article 12 of the
United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic In Narcotics Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances in 1988," said the director.
Among their responsibilities is to take measures to prevent the
diversion of materials that can be used to produce chemical drugs and
psychotropic substances.
The director recommended that these agencies cooperate with any party
towards achieving this goal.
"Unauthorised use means the manufacturing of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances in clandestine laboratories," said the director,
adding that many such facilities have been established in Asia in the recent
years.
The briefing aimed to enhance the awareness of private companies on the
dangers of precursor chemicals for illegal use.
He explained that under Section 8A of the Drug Abuse law, it is an offence
for an individual to produce, distribute, possess, import and export equipment
and materials to produce a controlled drug.
"There are many cases where the precursor chemicals found in
illegal drug laboratories in the Asian region (were) originally distributed
through the legitimate businesses, but then were diverted to illegal factories
for generating synthetic drugs."
WARDI BUNTAR
The Brunei Times
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