Subjecting 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole to control measures
PURPOSE: to subject 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole to control measures.
PROPOSED ACT: Implementing Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council adopts the act after consulting the European Parliament but without being obliged to follow its opinion.
BACKGROUND: in compliance with Council Decision 2005/387/JHA on the information exchange, risk-assessment and control of new psychoactive substances, the Scientific Committee of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) assessed the risks on the new psychoactive substance 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole. The risk assessment report was subsequently submitted to the Commission and to the Council on 16 April 2013.
The substance 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole is a synthetic derivative of indole substituted at the phenyl side of the indole ring system. It appears to be a stimulant substance that may also have hallucinogenic effects. 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole has been found mostly in powder form but also in tablet and capsule form. It is commercially available on the internet and from 'head shops', marketed as a 'research chemical'.
The existing information and data suggest that the acute toxicity of 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole can provoke adverse effects in humans.
There have been a total of 24 fatalities registered in four Member States from April to August 2012, in relation to which 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole alone, or in combination with other substances, was detected in post-mortem samples.
Nine European countries have reported to the EMCDDA and to the European Police Office (Europol) that they reported detection of 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole.
Six Member States already control 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole by means of different types of legislative provisions.
The Risk Assessment Reports reveal that there is limited scientific evidence available on 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole and pointed out that further research would be needed to determine the health and social risks that it poses.
However, the available evidence and information provides sufficient ground for subjecting 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole to control measures across the Union. As a result of the health risks that it poses, as documented by its detection in several reported fatalities, of the fact that users may unknowingly consume it, and of the lack of medical value or use, 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole should be subjected to control measures across the Union.
CONTENT: this proposal aims to invite the Member States to subject the new psychoactive substance 5-(2-aminopropyl)indole to control measures across the Union.
Decision 2013/496/EU ceases to produce effects from the date of entry into force of this Decision, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limit for subjecting 5(2-aminopropyl)indole to control measures and criminal penalties in their national laws.
The United Kingdom shall not take part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.