Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and the Criminal Law
Since 1984 the Controlled Substances Act has governed the legal response to possession, sale and supply of different categories of drugs. A growing challenge for forensic scientists, law enforcement and lawyers is the growth in novel psychoactive drugs, which are chemicals synthesised to mimic the effects of better known illicit drugs, but which are less well understood and regulated. There are challenges in identifying and categorising these drugs in accordance with the existing schedules of controlled drugs.

Greg Abroe is the Science Leader in the Drugs Group at Forensic Science SA and is at the coalface of the challenges in the detection and categorisation of these new chemicals. He will present on what NPS are, why they are produced, and the issues surrounding their forensic analysis. He will explain the approach being taken by Forensic Science SA to the current legislation, and how scientists determine whether a NPS is a controlled drug for the purposes of the legislative scheme in the Controlled Substances Act.

This session is appropriate for all levels of experience.

The session will be appropriate to satisfy the requirements of one CDP point in Professional Skills.