Controlled Substances

What is a controlled substance?

A controlled drug is an illegal drug where the substance, product or preparation is specified in the Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.  The Act has been amended on several occasions by subsequent legislation.   The main objective of the Act is to ensure the availability of controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes only and to prevent the non-medical use of those drugs.

The Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, as amended, for example, by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984, prohibits the import, export, production, possession, sale and supply of controlled drugs unless carried out in accordance with the terms outlined in regulations made under the Act. To see the most recent up to date list of controlled substances please refer to Statutory Instrument 173/2017 – Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017.

Since September 2005, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has managed the application and issue process for controlled drug licenses on behalf of the Department of Health. The HPRA carries out inspections of manufacturers and distributors of controlled drugs, as well as some other operators as required, ensuring compliance with the relevant requirements. Controlled drugs include certain tablets and other medicines that can be purchased on prescription. However if a person is in possession of a controlled drug without a prescription for either personal use or to sell or supply they are committing an offence under the Misuse Use of Drugs Act 1977 as amended. To see the most recent up to date list of controlled substances please refer to Statutory Instrument 173/2017 – Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017.

The following are the most common type of controlled drugs seized in Ireland:

Cannabis Herb and Resin

Cocaine/ Crack cocaine

Ecstasy

Heroin (Diamorphine)

Ketamine

Amphetamines

GHB (Gammahydroxbutyrate)

LSD (Lysergic Acid)

New Psychoactive Substances (Includes 950 substances)  

Tablets (Controlled)

More information can be found at www.drugs.ie