{"id":"tas:sr-2009-085","name":"Poisons (Drugs of Dependence) Order 2009","slug":"poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"85 of 2009","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":315437,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2009-085-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This order may be cited as the [Poisons (Drugs of Dependence) Order 2009](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2009-085) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This order takes effect on the day on which the [Poisons Amendment Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2009-029) commences.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> > (1)  The [Acts Interpretation Act 1931](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1931-059) applies to the interpretation of this order as if this order were by-laws.\n> \n> > (2)  A reference in these regulations to a substance by name followed, in parentheses, by a capital letter \"S\" and a number is a reference to that substance when included in the correspondingly numbered Schedule to the Poisons List.\n> \n> > (3)  Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to a substance specified in this order includes –\n> > \n> > > > (a) that substance prepared from natural sources or artificially; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) where the substance is a plant (other than a plant included in [Schedule 8](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS8@EN) or [9](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS9@EN) to the Poisons List or a prohibited plant), that plant, or any part of it, when packed or prepared for therapeutic use; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) any salt, active principal or derivative of the substance, including esters and ethers and any salt of the active principal or derivative; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) any alkaloid of the substance and any salt of the alkaloid; and\n> > > \n> > > > (e) any stereo-isomer of the substance and any salt of the stereo-isomer; and\n> > > \n> > > > (f) any recombinant form of the substance; and\n> > > \n> > > > (g) a preparation or admixture containing any proportion of the substance –\n> > > \n> > > but does not include –\n> > > \n> > > > (h) a preparation or product included in Appendix A to the Uniform Standard; or\n> > > \n> > > > (i) a substance included in Appendix G to the Uniform Standard at a concentration not exceeding the concentration specified in column 2 of that Appendix in respect of that substance; or\n> > > \n> > > > (j) any other substance included in [Schedules 1](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS1@EN) to [6](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS6@EN) , inclusive, to the Poisons List at a concentration not exceeding 10mg per litre or 10mg per kilogram, unless that substance is also included in [Schedule 7](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS7@EN) or [8](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2001-102#JS8@EN) to that List.\n> \n> > (4)  Unless the contrary intention appears, where a concentration, strength or quantity is specified in the Poisons List in respect of a substance –\n> > \n> > > > (a) if the substance is present as a salt, active principal or derivative (including an ester or ether), the concentration, strength or quantity is calculated as the equivalent amount of the substance that is listed in the Poisons List; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the expression \"1%\" means –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) in the case of a liquid preparation, one gram of the substance per 100 millilitres of the preparation; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) in the case of a solid or semi-solid preparation, one gram of the substance per 100 grams of the preparation –\n> > > > \n> > > > and any expression of a greater or lesser percentage has a corresponding meaning; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) in the case of codeine, such concentration, strength or quantity is calculated as anhydrous codeine.\n> \n> > (5)  In this clause –\n> > \n> > > ***Uniform Standard*** means the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons, of the Commonwealth, published by the Australian Government under the *Therapeutic Goods Act 1989* of the Commonwealth, as amended from time to time.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Drugs of dependence","content":"### 4 Drugs of dependence\n\n> For the purposes of [section 3](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1971-081#GS3@EN) of the [Poisons Act 1971](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1971-081) , the substances specified in [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) to this order are declared to be drugs of dependence.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Drugs of Dependen","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Drugs of Dependence","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Drugs of Dependen SCHEDULE 1 - Drugs of Dependence\n\n[Clause 4](#GS4@EN)\n\n> **1.**   Alprazolam.\n\n> **2.**   Barbiturates (S4).\n\n> **3.**   Benactyzine and other substances structurally derived from diphenylmethane with ataractic properties.\n\n> **4.**   Benzodiazepine derivatives not elsewhere specified in this Schedule.\n\n> **5.**   Bromazepam.\n\n> **6.**   Bromides (S4).\n\n> **7.**   Bromvaletone.\n\n> **8.**   Butylchloral hydrate.\n\n> **9.**   Captodiame.\n\n> **10.**   Carbromal.\n\n> **11.**   Cathine.\n\n> **12.**   Chloral hydrate (S4).\n\n> **13.**   Chlorbutol (S4).\n\n> **14.**   Chlordiazepoxide.\n\n> **15.**   Chlormethiazole.\n\n> **16.**   Chlormezanone.\n\n> **17.**   Clobazam.\n\n> **18.**   Clonazepam.\n\n> **19.**   Clorazepate.\n\n> **20.**   Codeine (S4).\n\n> **21.**   Dextropropoxyphene (S4).\n\n> **22.**   Diazepam.\n\n> **23.**   Diethypropion.\n\n> **24.**   Ephedrine (S4).\n\n> **25.**   Ethchlorvynol.\n\n> **26.**   Ethinamate.\n\n> **27.**   Flurazepam.\n\n> **28.**   Glutethimide.\n\n> **29.**   Lorazepam.\n\n> **30.**   Medazepam.\n\n> **31.**   Meprobamate.\n\n> **32.**   Methylpentynol and other substituted alkynes for internal use.\n\n> **33.**   Methyprylone.\n\n> **34.**   Midazolam.\n\n> **35.**   Nalbuphine.\n\n> **36.**   Nitrazepam.\n\n> **37.**   Oxazepam.\n\n> **38.**   Paraldehyde.\n\n> **39.**   Phentermine.\n\n> **40.**   Prazepam.\n\n> **41.**   Pseudoephedrine (S4).\n\n> **42.**   Temazepam.\n\n> **43.**   Tramadol.\n\n> **44.**   Triazolam.\n\n> **45.**   Triclofos.\n\n> **46.**   Zolpidem.\n\n> **47.**   Zopiclone.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 5 August 2009\n\nThis order is administered in the Department of Health and Human Services.","sortOrder":4}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: declaring specific substances as 'drugs of dependence' for the purposes of the Poisons Act 1971. The chemical expansion clauses (salts, derivatives, isomers) are standard pharmacological drafting techniques to prevent circumvention, not scope creep. The Order does not create new regulatory schemes but plugs into existing poison control frameworks."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive chemical definition provisions in clause 3(3) covering salts, derivatives, stereo-isomers, recombinant forms, and preparations — creates automatic expansion of controlled substances without needing legislative amendment","Cross-references to external documents: the Commonwealth's *Uniform Standard* (Therapeutic Goods Act 1989) and the Tasmanian *Poisons List* (Schedules 1-9)","Concentration calculation rules in clause 3(4) requiring mathematical conversion for salts and specific percentage definitions","Multiple exclusion clauses (3(3)(h)-(j)) creating conditional exemptions based on concentration thresholds and Appendix listings","47 distinct substances listed in Schedule 1, many with their own Schedule 4 (S4) poison classifications creating dual regulatory layers"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThis Order creates the official list of **\"drugs of dependence\"** in Tasmania — substances that are strictly controlled because they have a high risk of addiction or abuse.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Doctors, pharmacists, and other health professionals** — they need special permits and must follow strict rules to prescribe, supply, or possess these drugs\n- **Patients** — anyone needing these medications (like strong painkillers, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety drugs) faces tighter controls on access and repeats\n- **Law enforcement** — these substances trigger specific criminal offences under the *Poisons Act 1971* if possessed or traded illegally\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThe Order plugs into Tasmania's *Poisons Act 1971* by naming exactly which substances count as \"drugs of dependence.\" Once a drug is on this list, it triggers a web of extra legal requirements:\n- Special prescription forms\n- Storage and record-keeping obligations\n- Criminal penalties for unauthorised possession or supply\n\n**What's on the list:**\nThe Schedule includes 47 substances across several categories:\n- **Benzodiazepines** (e.g., diazepam/Valium, alprazolam/Xanax, temazepam) — sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs\n- **Opioid painkillers** (e.g., codeine, tramadol, nalbuphine)\n- **Stimulants and weight-loss drugs** (e.g., phentermine, diethylpropion, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine)\n- **Older sedatives and sleeping tablets** (e.g., barbiturates, chloral hydrate, zolpidem/Stilnox, zopiclone)\n\n**Key technical detail:**\nThe Order uses clever chemistry-aware definitions. When it bans or restricts a substance, it automatically catches:\n- Natural and artificial versions\n- Salts, esters, and chemical variants\n- Different molecular shapes (stereo-isomers)\n- Any mixture containing the drug\n\nBut it excludes low-concentration preparations (like some over-the-counter cough medicines) listed in the Commonwealth's *Uniform Scheduling Standard*."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text, there is no indication that the scope of this order has changed from its original intent. It appears to remain a focused instrument for classifying drugs of dependence under Tasmanian poisons law. However, the amendment history (referenced but not reproduced) means scope changes cannot be fully ruled out without reviewing those amendments."},"complexity_factors":["The order itself is a subordinate instrument (statutory order) sitting beneath a parent Act, requiring understanding of that broader legislative framework","Classification of drugs of dependence typically involves reference to schedules and technical pharmacological distinctions","Has been amended at least once (amendment table referenced), meaning the current version may differ from the original","Interaction with Commonwealth scheduling frameworks (e.g., the Therapeutic Goods Act and Poisons Standard) adds a layer of regulatory complexity","Limited substantive content is visible in the provided text, making full assessment difficult — score reflects typical complexity of this instrument type rather than visible provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"The Poisons (Drugs of Dependence) Order 2009 (Tas.) is a government instrument that formally classifies certain substances as “drugs of dependence,” triggering stricter controls on prescribing, supply, storage and record‑keeping. It affects prescribers, pharmacists, hospitals, patients and regulators by tightening safeguards against misuse and diversion. Note: the supplied document is mostly administrative metadata and does not include the operative list of substances, limiting detailed analysis."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument's stated operation is to declare the Schedule 1 substances to be drugs of dependence for the purposes of section 3 of the Poisons Act 1971. It does not, on its face, broaden or narrow that statutory scheme beyond specifying which substances are captured and setting interpretation rules (cl 3). There is no express alteration of the Poisons Act’s substantive controls in this instrument itself; it implements classification and definitional detail."},"complexity_factors":["Interpretation rules in clause 3 that extend each listed substance to salts, active principals, derivatives, alkaloids, stereo‑isomers and recombinant forms (cl 3(3)(c)–(f)), increasing technical scope.","Exemptions to those broad definitions via cross‑references to the Uniform Standard Appendix A and G, and to Schedules 1–6 concentrations (cl 3(3)(h)–(j)), requiring cross‑checking external documents.","Numeric concentration and equivalence rules (cl 3(4)(a)–(c)) that require calculating active amounts (eg. salts to base equivalence; percentage definitions; codeine as anhydrous), creating compliance detail.","Direct linkage to the Poisons Act (s 3) and to external instruments (Uniform Standard, Poisons List schedules), so legal effect depends on other instruments.","A long enumerated list of 47 named substances in Schedule 1, including references to Poisons List scheduling labels (eg. S4), which creates administrative and enforcement detail for regulators and regulated parties.","Commencement dependency on the Poisons Amendment Act 2009 (cl 2), meaning timing and effect rely on another statute."],"plain_english_summary":"This order declares the chemical substances listed in Schedule 1 to be \"drugs of dependence\" for the purposes of section 3 of the Poisons Act 1971, so they fall under that Act's controls. It treats named substances as including salts, derivatives, stereoisomers and recombinant forms, but exempts certain low‑concentration products under the Uniform Standard (cl 3). The Department of Health and Human Services administers the order; the change affects persons and businesses subject to the Poisons Act’s regulatory controls."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009","history":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009/history","analysis":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/poisons-drugs-of-dependence-order-2009/documents"}}