Latest news with #MisuseofDrugsAct
The Star
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
One in three vapes in Singapore laced with etomidate; Health Ministry working with Home Affairs Ministry to list it as illegal drug: Health Minister Ong
SINGAPORE: The authorities are working to list etomidate, which is being abused via e-vaporisers, under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday (July 20). This paves the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods – vapes containing etomidate – to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs like nimetazepam, also known as Erimin-5, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders. Currently, etomidate is listed under the Poisons Act. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years. But with the growing trend of e-vaporisers containing the drug, Ong said it was now necessary to take stronger action. This will be done in the coming weeks, and is an interim measure till further changes can be made to the law to tackle the vaping scourge here, Ong added. The Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this. The move comes after one in three vapes recently seized here was found to contain etomidate. Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Ong said a third of more than 100 vapes seized during enforcement operations and tested at random were found to contain the substance. Ong said that previously, a vape would be used mainly for the delivery of nicotine. 'But today, it is a delivery device for a range of substances, from nicotine to psychoactive substances such as etomidate, to hardcore drugs that are illegal under the MDA as well,' he said. 'When that is the situation, it requires a whole of government effort to enforce against this.' Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said a third of more than 100 vapes seized during enforcement operations and tested at random were found to contain etomidate. - Photo: Lianhe Zaobao Ong confirmed that several deaths here have been linked to the abuse of the substance. He said: 'We have seen some deaths, traffic accidents, as well as unnatural deaths, where etomidate is implicated... it is a serious problem.' Listing etomidate under the MDA will mean abusers will be subject to supervision, and may be committed to a drug rehabilitation centre, he said. Ong urged those who are using Kpods to stop immediately. He said: 'I urge those who are consuming etomidate-laced vapes, give it up now, before the law catches up with you. It is very harmful, and the time to give up is now.' He added that a big challenge in dealing with vapes is the attitude towards it, with vapes having been successfully marketed by vape makers to young people as harmless and trendy. 'It's actually unconscionable,' he said. 'We are up against a mindset that might have set in among some young people, and we now need to counter that.' In a separate update on July 20, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said it will be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. Previously, HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch could be reached only from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays. But the hotline service to report vaping-related offences will be expanded to operate seven days a week, with extended hours from 9am to 9pm, HSA said. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Ong said of the initiative at the July 20 event: 'The Straits Times is on a useful campaign, in my view, to raise awareness about the harmfulness of etomidate, and also to urge agencies to step up actions. Many members of the public have done likewise.' When ST launched the campaign, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. - The Straits Times/ANN
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Health
- New Paper
One in three vapes here laced with etomidate: Ong Ye Kung
As an interim measure to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore, the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to list etomidate - a drug used in vapes - under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20. He added that vapes seized by the authorities have shown that one in three vapes contain etomidate, a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations and organ damage. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. This will pave the way for harsher penalties for abusers, including mandatory rehabilitation, and jail time for repeat offenders. Etomidate's use is currently regulated under the Poisons Act, which carries lighter penalties for users. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this in the coming weeks. The Health Sciences Authority will also be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Mr Ong praised the initiative, saying it was a useful campaign to raise awareness. When ST launched the campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spams, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000.
AsiaOne
14 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - As an interim measure to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore, the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to list etomidate - a drug used in vapes - under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20. He added that vapes seized by the authorities have shown that one in three vapes contain etomidate, a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations and organ damage. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. This will pave the way for harsher penalties for abusers, including mandatory rehabilitation, and jail time for repeat offenders. Etomidate's use is currently regulated under the Poisons Act, which carries lighter penalties for users. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Ong said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this in the coming weeks. The Health Sciences Authority will also be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Ong praised the initiative, saying it was a useful campaign to raise awareness. When ST launched the campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. [[nid:720375]] Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spams, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. [[nid:720302]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Health
- Straits Times
1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. SINGAPORE - As an interim measure to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore, the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to list etomidate - a drug used in vapes - under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20. He added that vapes seized by the authorities have shown that one in three vapes contain etomidate, a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations and organ damage. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. This will pave the way for harsher penalties for abusers, including mandatory rehabilitation, and jail time for repeat offenders. Etomidate's use is currently regulated under the Poisons Act, which carries lighter penalties for users. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this in the coming weeks. The Health Sciences Authority will also be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences Singapore Tampines regional centre set to get more homes, offices and public amenities Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore Life US tech CEO Andy Byron resigns after viral Coldplay 'kiss cam' video Asia From toy to threat: 'Killer kites' bring chaos to Indonesian airspace Opinion I thought I was a 'chill' parent. Then came P1 registration Singapore 'God and government are the only things beyond our control,' says Group CEO Mr Ong praised the initiative, saying it was a useful campaign to raise awareness. When ST launched the campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spams, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups , with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases . Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Amateur MMA fighter caught with cannabis given ‘opportunity to reflect'
Karl Byrne (27), of Russell View, Russell Square, Tallaght, was in the front passenger seat of a Volkswagen Passat when gardaí stopped the vehicle on Main Road, Tallaght, on July 29, 2022. The car was being driven by his co-accused, Thomas Kane (31). Garda Patrick Roche told Tallaght District court that he observed Kane handing a package to Byrne, who then appeared to place it under his seat. When he approached the car, Garda Roche said he got a strong smell of cannabis and carried out a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Five individual bags of cannabis, weighing approximately 20 grams in total and valued at €308, were found in a plastic food bag beneath the seat. Byrne immediately took responsibility, telling gardaí: 'The cannabis is mine - I didn't know how many bags, I just grabbed it from my house.' He pleaded guilty before the court to possessing the drug for sale or supply on July 29, 2022. Byrne has 14 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic and public order offences, but none for drugs. His barrister, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, said Byrne had been heavily using cannabis at the time but had since taken full responsibility and was doing better. Byrne told the court he was now off drugs and had returned to training as an amateur MMA fighter. Judge Patricia McNamara asked about his last fight - Byrne said he had drawn the match, but his opponent wouldn't agree to a rematch. Garda Roche confirmed that Byrne had not come to the force's attention since the incident. Judge Patricia McNamara, noting it was Byrne's first drug offence, told him: 'Hopefully [it's] your last.' She invited Byrne to voluntarily engage with a restorative justice drugs awareness programme, describing it as 'an opportunity to reflect". 'You don't have to do it - but let's see if you do,' she told him. The case was adjourned to October 10 for Byrne to complete the programme and submit a reflective piece. Thomas Kane, of Ard Mór Drive, Brookfield, Tallaght, was convicted of knowingly permitting the possession of drugs in a vehicle, under Section 19 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Kane had pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court he had no idea Byrne had drugs on him. He claimed the first he knew of it was when Byrne pulled the bags from his pocket and stashed them under the seat after gardaí turned on their blue lights. Judge McNamara rejected that account, saying it was 'not credible' that Kane wouldn't have noticed the strong smell of cannabis in the car or known what was happening beside him. She said she was satisfied with Garda Roche's version of events - that Kane handed Byrne the drugs. The court heard that Kane has nine previous convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act, including a five-year sentence, suspended for three years, for a €13,000 cannabis seizure. Judge McNamara said she would impose 120 hours of community service in lieu of an eight-month sentence, subject to a probation report confirming Kane's suitability. His case was adjourned to October 3 for finalisation.
