Medical practitioners required to report suspected etomidate abusers to CNB from 1 Sept
Starting from 1 Sept, all medical practitioners in Singapore will be required to report suspected etomidate users to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
On 29 Aug, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued a circular notifying physicians of this requirement.
The change comes as a result of etomidate, a substance in Kpod vapes, being listed as a Class C drug.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao
Medical practitioners to provide name & IC number of etomidate addicts
According to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, medical practitioners who have reasonable grounds to suspect a person is a drug addict must report them to the director of the CNB within seven days.
They have to provide the suspect’s name, IC number, address, and other such details.
The circular stated that suspected etomidate abusers would show symptoms such as slurred speech, confusion, and an unsteady gait.
Medical practitioners also have to report individuals who directly admit to vaping or possess vapes in healthcare institutions.
Source: Health Sciences Authority and Singapore Police Force
Medical practitioners do not have to conduct a urine test to check for the drug’s presence.
Reported etomidate abusers can be prosecuted
MOH and HSA have instructed healthcare institutions to put in place all necessary workflows to facilitate the reporting, made through CNB’s eNOTIF portal.
“This reporting workflow is similar as that for the reporting of current suspected drug addicts,” they stated.
While etomidate abusers who come forward willingly will not be given a criminal record, those reported by medical practitioners can be prosecuted.
Also read: 195 nabbed for vaping-related offences at public entertainment outlets, 11 Kpods seized
195 nabbed for vaping-related offences at public entertainment outlets, 11 Kpods seized
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Featured image adapted from Lianhe Zaobao and Health Sciences Authority & Singapore Police Force.
