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• Drug Laws:

The Law on Drugs

Drug laws aim to help protect people from harm, to deter people from using or dealing drugs, punish people who deal or traffic drugs, minimise the effects of drugs on communities.

Illegal drugs are divided into three different categories, or classes in the UK. There are different levels of penalty for possession and dealing drugs depending on their classification.

Using any of the drugs listed below is illegal.

Class A

• Class A drugs are regarded as the most dangerous types of drugs – the legal penalties are therefore more serious.
• Class A drugs include: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection).
• Penalty for possession: magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection). Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
• Penalty for dealing: Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Class B

• Class B drugs are considered less dangerous, and the legal penalties involved are lower.
• Class B drugs include: Amphetamines, Cannabis, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine.
• Canabis has recently (2009) been reclassified as a Class B drug.
• Penalty for possession: Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
• Penalty for dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Class C

• Class C drugs are considered less danger than class B drugs.
• Class C drugs include: Tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine.
• Penalty for possession: Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
• Penalty for dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, it is an offence:

• to unlawfully possess a controlled drug
• to possess a controlled drug with intent to supply it
• to unlawfully supply (sell/give/share) a controlled drug
• to allow premises you occupy or manage to be used for the smoking or use of drugs

The police have special powers to stop, detain and search people if they have a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that they are in possession of an illegal drug.

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