S.I No.321/1982

S.I No.321/1982 – Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations

SafeAway controlled drugs cabinets are fully compliant with S.I No.321/1982 -Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) regulations 1982. This is the regulation for the storage of Controlled drugs within the Republic of Ireland.

The regulations are similar to the Misuse of drugs (Safe Custody) regulation 1973. This applies to the storage of Controlled drugs within the United Kingdom. However, S.I No.321/1982 permits the storage of controlled drugs in a container or cabinet which is not compliant with S.I No.321/1982. Only if authorized and permitted by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent. A Garda superintendent may, on receipt of an application inspect a safe or cabinet which Controlled drugs may be stored. They may also inspect the premises where the controlled drugs are kept. If they deem the cabinet to provide a level of security, which in the circumstances of the particular case is considered to be sufficient within the requirements of the regulation, can issue a certificate in respect of the cabinet or safe for the storage of controlled drugs. This certificate can at any time be revoked by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent if there is a breach of any condition specified on the certificate or as a result in a change of circumstances or where the cabinet no longer provides an adequate level of security.

S.I No.321/1982 are very similar to those set out in the United Kingdom Misuse of drugs regulations 1973.

They include: –

The construction of the cabinet should be fully welded. This is from Steel of a thickness of not less than 1.6mm. The cabinet should be manufactured from pressed and welded steel sheet. This construction must have a clearance of not greater than 3mm between the door and the jam. In the case of a double door between the two leaves of the doors.

Each door shall have a lock with a minimum of five levers and a key with at least 1000 key differs. On a double door cabinet a dead bolt shall be fitted to prevent the second leaf opening.

When the length of a vertical closing door edge is greater than 914mm and where the horizontal edge is longer than 457mm the door must be fitted with two locks of the types described above. Each lock must be not more than one third of the vertical height of the closing edge from the top and similarly from the bottom of the door.

Cabinets should be securely fitted to a wall or floor which is soundly constructed by means of at least two anchor bolts which pass through an internal anchor plate of mild steel which is at least 3mm thick and has a surface area of no less than 19,355 square mm.

This Blog is meant to be a guide only and we strongly recommend you seek further advice and guidance from your regulatory authority.