Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) (No. 2) Order 2016

Kirsten Oswald Excerpts

Monday 9th January 2017 General Committees

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mrs Gillan.

Given the devastating effects that this drug has had in Scotland, the Scottish National party supports the order. We welcomed last year’s notification by Police Scotland that instances of injecting MPA appeared to have reduced. It is a little disappointing, however, that the UK Government have responded to the issue by granting a further temporary order. Since we have identified that this is a particularly dangerous drug, a more permanent solution would have been welcome—the Minister herself has raised concerns about the health implications of taking this sort of drug. We should all aspire to making this kind of substance unlawful, less visible and less available, and a more permanent solution would allow us to do that.