Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Drug Reclassification: Monkey Dust

01 November 2022 · 6 other contributors · 4,299 words

Opened by Jack Brereton Con Stoke-on-Trent South

Responding minister: Chris Philp

Crime & Law EnforcementNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jack Brereton raised concerns about drug reclassification: monkey dust in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Jack Brereton raises concerns about the severe impact of monkey dust, a class B drug, in Stoke-on-Trent, noting two-thirds of related incidents in the west midlands occur there.
  • Brereton calls for the reclassification of monkey dust as a class A drug to deter its use and supply, and for support in preventative work and rehabilitation efforts.
  • The minister acknowledges the debate's importance and the impact of monkey dust on communities, without committing to specific actions.

Key requests to Government

Brereton calls for the reclassification of monkey dust as a class A drug to send a clear message that dealing with it will not be tolerated. He also asks the government to support preventative work, rehabilitation efforts, and stricter sanctions against suppliers and users of the drug.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Jack Brereton Con Stoke-on-Trent South

Jack Brereton is concerned about the severe impact of monkey dust, a class B drug, in Stoke-on-Trent. He notes that up to two-thirds of all monkey dust-related incidents in the west midlands region occur there and highlights the drug's unpredictable effects, including hallucinations, aggression, and hyperthermia leading to death. Brereton also emphasizes the drug's affordability and its devastating impact on users' lives, families, local communities, businesses, and emergency services.

Other contributors (6)
  • Aaron Bell Con Mansfield

    He acknowledges the issue of monkey dust in Newcastle-under-Lyme, citing several deaths and incidents involving individuals under its influence. He supports reclassification to category A and urges collaboration with Jonathan Gullis to address the problem effectively. Reiterated the focus needed on town centres in red wall seats and praised new chief constable Chris Noble and borough commander John Owen for focusing on antisocial behaviour, noting that money from various funds will not be effective if people do not feel safe.

  • Gareth Snell Lab Stoke-on-Trent North

    Gareth Snell agrees with Brereton's proposal to reclassify monkey dust as class A, highlighting its severe impact on young people and communities.

  • James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk

    James Cartlidge agrees that stronger action is needed against monkey dust, emphasizing the need to tackle both supply and demand sides of drug abuse.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    He commends Jack Brereton for securing the debate, highlighting that monkey dust can be purchased cheaply, making it accessible to young teenagers and potentially leading them to use other drugs. He calls for immediate reclassification of the drug.

  • John Mann Lab Bassetlaw

    John Mann supports the need for a holistic approach to address drug abuse and addiction in Stoke-on-Trent. He discusses plans for local substance misuse services funded by £5 million from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

  • Jonathan Gullis Lab Stoke-on-Trent North

    He thanks Jack Brereton and discusses the drug's impact on vulnerable individuals in Stoke-on-Trent, urging residents to sign a petition calling for reclassification and additional support for Staffordshire police. He also mentions that monkey dust poses severe mental health issues. Welcomed the new police officers in Staffordshire and highlighted the need for additional support to build intelligence on criminal gangs, requesting the Minister ensures that case of additional funding is taken back to the Home Office.

Government Response

Chris Philp

It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Dame Maria. I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent South on securing this important debate and his colleagues who supported him with enthusiasm, passion, conviction and ability. My hon. Friend has made an extremely moving and compelling case for the terrible effects that monkey dust has on constituents—not just those who are taking it but those affected by their behaviour. Monkey dust is a street name for drugs in the family of cathinones, which act as central-nervous-system stimulants similar to amphetamines. The Government's 10-year drug strategy focuses on preventing misuse through the criminal justice system and policing, including recruiting 20,000 extra police officers with over 15,000 already recruited. Police funding will be reviewed in the near future, with £780 million allocated for treatment and recovery to cure addiction. Stoke-on-Trent is part of the first wave of authorities receiving additional funding this year, approximately an additional £1 million specifically for treating addiction. Sir Stephen House's report on reducing bureaucracy for police time is being worked on closely. Regarding drug classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Government have a statutory obligation to consult the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs before making any change. The ACMD advised in 2010 to maintain class B classification for cathinones, but recent developments indicate significant escalation since then. In response to this debate, I intend to commission Home Office officials to advise on whether we should submit the cathinone family of drugs to the ACMD for an updated evaluation to see whether reclassification is needed. This demonstrates the value of these debates in prompting action which otherwise would not have taken place.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy