‘Legal high’ compounds outlawed
![New drug controls take effect on February 24.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/legacy_oak_53641783.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![New drug controls take effect on February 24.](/img/placeholder.png)
A number of harmful compounds sold by ‘legal high’ suppliers will be listed as controlled Class B drugs from February 24.
Methoxetamine - hitherto subject to temporary control - will be permanently controlled.
O-desmethyltramadol - an active compound of the prescription medicine ‘tramadol’ - and an undeclared active ingredient in samples of the ‘legal high’ branded product ‘Krypton,’ which has been linked to a number of deaths in Sweden - will also be outlawed.
A new statutory rule will also bring forward regulations to make it unlawful to possess, supply, produce, import or export a range of synthetic cannabinoids.