Law and penalities

Heroin is classified in the Class A schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, attracting a maximum term of life imprisonment for importing, manufacturing and/or supplying. Possession carries a six month imprisonment term and/or $1000 fine.

Opium, pethidine, methadone and morphine are scheduled as Class B drugs. The penalties on this schedule include up to 14 years imprisonment for manufacture, supply and importation, up to 10 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit such an offence, and up to three months imprisonment and/or $500 fine for possession.

Some other opiates, including codeine and analogues of pethidine, are scheduled as Class C drugs. Importation, supply and manufacture would attract a maximum eight years in prison, or up to three months in prison and/or a $500 fine for possession.