Lexi Webster
In Australia, the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP), also referred to as the Poisons Standard, is a legislative instrument that categorises drugs and poisons into different schedules, indicating the level of control required over their public availability. Schedule 8 (S8) substances, for instance, are considered controlled drugs with a high potential for abuse and addiction, and their possession without authorisation is illegal. Historically, in 1908, New South Wales listed chloroform as an adulterating ingredient alongside cannabis, opium, and cocaine, requiring products containing these substances to be labelled as such.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chloroform legality in Australia | Illegal |
| Historical use in Australia | In 1908, New South Wales listed chloroform as an ingredient that could "adulterate" food and drink. |
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What You'll Learn
Chloroform's history as a legal substance in Australia
Chloroform was first introduced to Australia in 1848 as an anaesthetic. Before its introduction, ether was the sole anaesthetic used in the country. On 31 March 1848, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the discovery of chloroform by Professor Simpson of Edinburgh, describing it as a superior alternative to ether. On April 12, 1848, the same newspaper reported the successful use of chloroform during surgery at the Sydney Infirmary.
However, just three months after its introduction, the first patient death under chloroform was recorded. Despite this, chloroform remained a dominant anaesthetic in Australia until the late 1870s, and the term ""chloroformist" was synonymous with "anaesthetist" until 1900. Chloroform was also recommended for uses beyond medicine, with an 1848 issue of the Sydney Morning Herald suggesting its use "for scolding wives".
In the second half of the 19th century, alternative anaesthetics began to emerge, including nitrous oxide and ether. Nitrous oxide was first mentioned in an Australian medical journal in 1870, reprinted from a 1869 paper by Charles Fox, a London-based dental surgeon. The NSW Medical Gazette of 1871 predicted that nitrous oxide would supersede chloroform for short operations, although it continued to be used regularly by dentists.
In addition to its medical applications, chloroform was also used in the production of refrigerants, plastics, and other chemicals. Today, exposure to chloroform typically occurs through drinking water, food and beverages produced with chlorinated water, or swimming in pools treated with chlorine. While it is no longer widely used as an anaesthetic, chloroform remains a regulated toxic chemical in Australia.
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Controlled drugs in Australia
Australia has a comprehensive system for controlling drugs, with laws and regulations that apply to a range of substances. The Office of Drug Control (ODC) is responsible for overseeing and enforcing these regulations, which can vary between states and territories.
The ODC maintains a list of controlled substances that are regulated by the government. This list includes compounds derived from 1-(1-naphthylmethyl) indene, which are controlled due to their potential for misuse and harm. The list is regularly updated to reflect the latest scientific and medical understanding of different drugs and their effects.
In addition to federal regulations, individual states and territories in Australia have their own drug laws. For example, Western Australia has unique laws pertaining to drugs that may differ from other regions. This means that the legality of certain substances can vary depending on where you are in the country.
Random roadside drug testing is now commonplace across Australian states and territories. Unlike with alcohol, where a specific blood alcohol concentration is the legal limit, any trace of illicit drugs in a person's system during a roadside test is illegal. This policy reinforces the strict nature of drug control in Australia and aims to deter people from driving under the influence of drugs.
While the focus here is on controlled drugs, it is worth noting that certain types of medicinal cannabis are available in Australia under a TGA Special Access Scheme. This scheme allows patients in need to access medicinal cannabis products, but only when prescribed by a doctor and under specific conditions.
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Chloroform's legality in other countries
Unfortunately, I could not find specific information about the legality of chloroform in Australia or in other countries. Is there anything else I can help you with?
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Australia's legislative instrument for drugs and poisons
The Poisons Standard is available to the public, free of charge, on the Federal Register of Legislation (FRL) website. The FRL is an authoritative source for Commonwealth Acts, legislative instruments, and explanatory statements. The legal title of the current Poisons Standard is the "Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard - February 2025) Instrument 2025".
The Poisons Standard sets the level of control on the availability of poisons, and its scheduling decisions are implemented through state and territory legislation. This includes integrating with relevant agricultural and veterinary chemical codes, such as the Agvet Code and the Agvet Code Regulations, which outline specific labelling requirements for scheduled poisons.
The TGA is responsible for ensuring that imported cosmetic products comply with the legal requirements outlined in the Poisons Standard. It also handles complaints, carries out inspections, and oversees the primary use, ingredients, and claims made about products' effects on health and beauty.
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The process of classifying drugs in Australia
Australia has a comprehensive system for classifying drugs, which involves various government departments and agencies. The Australian Standard Classification of Drugs of Concern (ASCDC) is the primary framework used for categorising drugs of concern in Australian society. The ASCDC classifies drugs based on their chemical structure, mechanism of action, and impact on physiological activity. It includes two additional classifications: “Form of Drug” and “Method of Drug Use”. The ASCDC assists policymakers, analysts, and researchers by providing a consistent framework for drug-related data.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) plays a crucial role in developing and promoting statistical data standards related to drugs. The ABS produced the ASCDC to ensure compatibility and comparability of data across different systems at the state and national levels. This enables effective planning, monitoring, and evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing drug-related harm, as outlined in the National Drug Strategy: Australian Integrated Framework 2004-2009.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is another key organisation responsible for classifying and regulating medicines in Australia. Australia has a two-tiered system for medicine regulation, with higher-risk medicines requiring registration on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) after individual evaluations of quality, safety, and effectiveness. Lower-risk medicines with pre-approved ingredients can be listed on the ARTG without registration. The TGA assesses registered medicines for quality, safety, and efficacy, while listed medicines are evaluated only for quality and safety.
Additionally, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) oversees the claims, advertising, and safety of cosmetic products in the Australian market. It works in conjunction with the AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) to ensure the safety and efficacy of cosmetic products. If a cosmetic product includes therapeutics, such as sunscreens and acne creams, it falls under the regulatory purview of the TGA, which ensures the safety and efficacy of therapeutic ingredients.
Drugs can also be categorised based on their effects on the body, their usage, and their location of use. For instance, stimulants increase the speed of messages between the brain and body, while depressants slow them down. Party drugs, a combination of stimulants and hallucinogens, are commonly used by young people to enhance social experiences but pose significant health risks. Analgesics, or painkillers, can be misused by taking higher doses to get high or self-harm. Inhalants, such as volatile solvents and aerosol sprays, are quickly absorbed through inhalation, providing an immediate high.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, chloroform is illegal in Australia. In 1908, New South Wales listed chloroform as an ingredient that could "adulterate" food and drink.
When an ingredient is labelled as an "adulterant", it means that the addition of this substance to food or drink is considered illegal. To sell the product legally, you must disclose to customers that it contains the adulterant.
In 1908, New South Wales listed cannabis, opium, and cocaine as ingredients that could "adulterate" food and drink, in addition to chloroform.
