drugs policy

By reclassifing cannabis as a Class C rather than Class B drug, the current government became the first for 30 years to contemplate any liberalisation of the law. But this change is highly unlikely to pave the way for the more radical reforms that some people believe are long overdue.

© Getty

The government's Revised Drugs Strategy, published in December 2002, warns that 'Reclassification should not detract from the simple message to all – and to young people in particular – that all controlled drugs are harmful and no one should take them.' And the Home Office rejected the recommendation of the Home Affairs Select Committee that ecstasy should also be reclassified, as a Class B rather than Class A drug.

the revised drugs strategy

The changes to the law may be modest, but the Revised Drugs Strategy has won qualified support from people working in the field. The organisation Drugscope, for example, while urging the government to be bolder, says that it 'welcomes the vast majority of the new drugs strategy as an important step in the right direction'.

In addition to an increased focus on treatment, and in particular on getting offenders into treatment, the strategy is notable for the abandonment of targets set by the former 'drugs tsar' Keith Hellawell. These targets were described by Home Secretary David Blunkett as 'not credible'.

The following is a brief summary of the main commitments and aims of the strategy. For more detail, see the links in help and info.

• Overall, the government aims to reduce the use of Class A drugs and the frequent use of any illicit drug among the under-25s. But specific targets for reduction are conspicuous by their absence. A previous, highly ambitious, target, announced in 2000 – a 25% reduction in the consumption of Class A drugs in the 16-24 agegroup by 2005 and a 50% reduction by 2010 – has been abandoned. The new strategy also says there will be a 'tougher focus on Class A drugs'.
• The government aims to double the number of people in treatment by 2008. This target has survived and is 'on track'. To help fund this, direct annual expenditure for tackling drugs 'will rise from £1026 million in 2002/3 to £1244 million in 2003/4, £1344 million in the year starting April 2004 and nearly £1.5 billion in the year starting April 2005 – an increase of 44%'.
• There will be a new programme designed to move offenders out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. A policy of denying bail to those who refuse treatment will be piloted. Drugs treatment programmes within the youth justice system will be expanded.
• Community support for young people with drug problems will be improved.
• More help will be available for cocaine and crack users. (Traditionally a very large proportion of services have been aimed at those dependent on heroin and other opiates.)
• Heroin prescription (as opposed to an opiate substitute such as methadone) will be available to those who would benefit from it.
• There will be an increased emphasis on harm minimisation – reducing deaths and harm among those who do take drugs.
• There will be more support for the parents, carers and families of drug users.
• There is a commitment to improving drug education in schools, and there will be a new advertising campaign warning about the risks of Class A drugs.
• Cannabis is reclassified as a Class C drug. Possession of cannabis is still an arrestable offence, attracting a maximum sentence of two years in prison, but you're unlikely to be arrested for possession unless you flout the law. The maximum sentence for supplying cannabis - and all other Class C drugs - will be 14 years – the same as for Class B drugs.
• There will be a 'continued focus on international trafficking, with a renewed focus on middle [cross-regional] markets, local policing and tackling crack'. A target to reduce drug-related crime by 50% has been abandoned.
• The government is 'encouraged' by results of cannabis medicine trials and, if licences are granted by the Medicines Control Agency, the law will be changed to allow cannabis prescription for certain conditions.

Drugs groups, users, and anyone affected by drug use – in other words all of us – will no doubt be watching the practical outcomes with interest.

help and info

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organisations

DrugScope
32-36 Loman Street
London SE1 0EE
Tel: 020 7928 1211 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm)
E-mail: info@drugscope.org.uk
Website: www.drugscope.org.uk
National drugs information agency with services that include a library, a wide range of publications, policy research and consultancy.

Release
388 Old Street
London EC1V 9LT
Legal Helpline: 0845 4500 215 (Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm)
Heroin Helpline: 0845 4500 215 (Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm)
E-mail: ask@release.org.uk
Website: www.release.org.uk
Offers confidential and professional legal, health and welfare advice for those who come into contact with drugs. Can refer you to local drug agencies and specialist lawyers. The website features drug facts, information on the law, and advice for dealing with the police.

Transform – Drug Policy Foundation
Easton Business Centre
Felix Road
Easton
Bristol BS5 0HE
Tel: 0117 941 5810
E-mail: info@tdpf.org.uk
Website: www.tdpf.org.uk
UK organisation campaigning for a just and effective drug policy. Promotes the minimisation of drug-related harm to individuals and communities and believes that this is best achieved by legalising drugs.

websites

The Police Foundation
www.police-foundation.org.uk
Follow the Publications and Reports link to the report on 'Drugs and the Law' for an overview of the report into the Misuse of Drugs Act and a summary of recommendations.

The Updated Drug Strategy
www.drugs.gov.uk/ReportsandPublications/ ..
A summary of the Government's 2002 Updated Drug Strategy.

reading

The Government's Drugs Policy: Is It Working? Home Affairs Select Committee Report, 2002
The views and recommendations of the Select Committee.
www.publications.parliament.uk/ ..

National Strategy – Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives Drugs Strategy Directorate, 2005
Highlights the progress made since the Updated Drug Strategy was published in December 2002 and sets out the challenges which remain over the coming years.
www.drugs.gov.uk/ ..

(February 2003, updated June 2004, resources February 2005)