Is Methadone legal in Falkland Islands (UK)?

Legal status

Class A controlled drug in the Falkland Islands. Part 1 of the Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Ordinance 1987 names «Methadone».

Consequences if caught

Part 1, paragraph 1(a) of the Schedule lists «Methadone», and the same list also names «Isomethadone», «Normethadone» and «Methadyl acetate»; paragraph 4 adds its salts, so methadone hydrochloride oral solution is covered. Penalties under the Ordinance for a Class A drug: importing or exporting it (section 3), producing or supplying it or offering to supply it (section 4), possessing it with intent to supply (section 5(2)) and permitting production or supply on premises one occupies (section 8) each carry up to 14 years' imprisonment and a fine at level 10; possessing it (section 5(1)) carries up to 7 years and a fine at level 8. Section 17 gives an attempt or incitement the same punishment as the offence, and an importation charged under section 43(3) of the Customs Ordinance 2003 carries the same 14 years and level 10 by its Schedule 1. Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Ordinance 2014 sets level 10 on the standard scale at £125,000, level 8 at £25,000, level 6 at £10,000 and level 4 at £2,000. Section 480(4) of that Ordinance makes a penalty printed at the foot of a section the maximum, and where it joins penalties with the word and they «may be inflicted alternatively or cumulatively». This is stated as at the legislation.gov.fk consolidation of the Ordinance in force from 10 April 2019, whose Schedule is the one substituted by S.R. & O. 20/2014 with effect from 23 December 2014. Section 2(4) lets the Governor by Order add a substance to, or remove one from, Parts 1 to 3 of the Schedule. No Misuse of Drugs Order appears in the Gazette indexes for 2023, 2024 or 2025 or in Supplements 1 to 16 of 2026, and the portal's title search for misuse returns only the Ordinance, the 1989 Designation and Regulations Orders, the 1997 Regulations Order and two 2022 instruments, neither of which amends the Schedule. This does not rule out a later Order.

If prescribed or medical

Methadone is in Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations Order 1997. Regulation 10(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations Order 1997 provides that «a person may have in his possession any drug specified in Schedule 2 or 3 for administration for medical, dental or veterinary purposes in accordance with the directions of a practitioner». Section 2(1) of the Ordinance defines a practitioner as «a doctor, dentist, veterinary practitioner or veterinary surgeon» and a doctor as «a person entitled to practise as such in the Falkland Islands», and no provision of the Ordinance or the 1997 Regulations Order read in this run covers a prescription written outside the Falkland Islands. Schedule 2 drugs are not among those regulation 4(1) excepts from the import ban, so bringing methadone into the Falkland Islands falls under section 3(1) unless it is licensed. Section 3(2) of the Ordinance provides that the import ban «does not apply to the importation or exportation of a controlled drug in accordance with and in compliance with any condition attached to a licence issued by the Chief Medical Officer». The Misuse of Drugs Regulations Order 1989 also adopts regulations made under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 «Except insofar as the same may be inconsistent with the Misuse of Drugs Ordinance 1987 or with any regulations made thereunder»; which UK regulations that now carries was not settled in this run, and this cell does not rely on it.

Documentation

The controlling law for methadone in the Falkland Islands is the territory's own Misuse of Drugs Ordinance 1987 and the instruments made under it, read on legislation.gov.fk, the Falkland Islands Government statute database.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Falkland Islands (UK)’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.