Buprenorphine, the active ingredient in
Subutex, was made a Class A Controlled
Drug under the First Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act
(MDA) on 14 Aug 2006, making it an offence to
import, distribute, possess or consume the drug.
From 1 October 2006, recalcitrant Buprenorphine
abusers who have two previous records for consumption of
opiates, synthetic drugs (i.e Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, Ketamine
or Nimetazepam) or Buprenorphine and are arrested again for drug
consumption will be liable for long term imprisonment under the
LT imprisonment regime, if convicted.
Under the LT imprisonment regime, third-time abusers will be liable
for LT1, and could face a minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment
and 3 strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 7 years
imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane if convicted. If a
subsequent offence of consumption is committed, abusers would be
liable for LT 2 and could face a minimum sentence of 7 years
imprisonment and 6 strokes of the cane and a maximum sentence of 13
years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane if convicted.
