Misuse of Drugs (Hair Specimens and Hair Tests) Regulations 2013

No. S 269

Misuse of Drugs Act

(CHAPTER 185)

Misuse of Drugs
(Hair Specimens and Hair Tests)
Regulations 2013

In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 31A and 58 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Minister for Home Affairs hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Misuse of Drugs (Hair Specimens and Hair Tests) Regulations 2013 and shall come into operation on 1st May 2013.

Definitions

2.  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Chief Executive of the Health Sciences Authority” means the Chief Executive of the Health Sciences Authority appointed under section 15 of the Health Sciences Authority Act (Cap. 122C);

“enforcement officer” means an officer of the Central Narcotics Bureau, an immigration officer, a police officer not below the rank of sergeant or a supervision officer appointed under regulation 15(1) of the Misuse of Drugs (Approved Institutions and Treatment and Rehabilitation) Regulations (Rg 3).

Hair specimens to be procured

3.  Hair specimens which are to be provided for the purpose of hair tests under section 31A of the Act or regulation 15(3)(f) of the Misuse of Drugs (Approved Institutions and Treatment and Rehabilitation) Regulations (Rg 3) shall be procured in accordance with the Schedule.

Hair test

4.  The Chief Executive of the Health Sciences Authority shall —

(a) arrange for the hair specimens to be tested; and

(b) send the results of the hair tests to the enforcement officer in charge of the case.

THE SCHEDULE

Regulation 3

Collection and delivery of hair specimens

1. When a subject who is required to provide a specimen of his hair is ready to do so, the officer may procure the hair sample from the back of his head.

2. The officer who collects the hair sample must wear a new pair of disposable gloves. He must clean the pair of scissors, and any reusable items that may come in direct contact with the hair sample, with alcohol before cutting the hair.

3. The officer shall first secure a tuft of hair via suitable means. The officer shall then cut the hair at its roots, closest to the scalp.

4. The officer may wrap the proximal ends of the hair sample with a small piece of foil. He shall then continue to wrap the entire tuft of hair in another piece of foil to cover the sample before placing it into a polymer bag.

5. The name of the subject, the number of his Identity Card or passport or other identification document, and the date of collection of the hair sample shall be entered by the officer onto an exhibit label.

6. The subject shall be allowed to check and sign the label in the presence of the officer.

7. If the subject is unable to read, the officer shall read the particulars on the label to the subject.

8. The officer shall then enter other necessary information on the label before inserting the label into the polymer bag together with the hair sample.

9. The officer shall then seal the polymer bag in the presence of the subject. The subject shall be allowed to check that the polymer bag is properly sealed.

10. The hair sample shall be stored in a secure area away from other drug exhibits until it is sent to the Health Sciences Authority.

Made this 26th day of April 2013.

TAN TEE HOW

Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Singapore.

[MHA 112/2/0049; AG/LLRD/SL/185/2010/9 Vol. 1]