This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6046522.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Crystal meth to be Class A drug | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Crystal methamphetamine is to be reclassified as a Class A drug, the Home Office has announced. | |
| It comes as the latest drug survey shows increased use of some substances, but overall drug abuse falling. | It comes as the latest drug survey shows increased use of some substances, but overall drug abuse falling. |
| Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant which induces euphoria, but which can lead to side effects such as violent behaviour and depression. | Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant which induces euphoria, but which can lead to side effects such as violent behaviour and depression. |
| Reclassification from Class B could lead to an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail for users. | Reclassification from Class B could lead to an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail for users. |
| 'Cannabis drop' | 'Cannabis drop' |
| The British Crime Survey, which is published on Friday, is understood to show that drug use overall is down. | The British Crime Survey, which is published on Friday, is understood to show that drug use overall is down. |
| However, there are some individual increases, said BBC home affairs correspondent Rory MacLean. | However, there are some individual increases, said BBC home affairs correspondent Rory MacLean. |
| The survey, he said, is expected to show a drop in the number of people using cannabis. | The survey, he said, is expected to show a drop in the number of people using cannabis. |
| It (the drug classification system) was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly Martin BarnesDrugscope | It (the drug classification system) was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly Martin BarnesDrugscope |
| The government also said there would be no change to the classification of drugs into A, B and C classes or the thresholds for possession. | |
| It follows a parliamentary committee report which said the system was not fit for purpose. | |
| In July, a committee of MPs said the designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause. | In July, a committee of MPs said the designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause. |
| The Science Select Committee said the present system was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment. Some of the drugs could be rated less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. | The Science Select Committee said the present system was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment. Some of the drugs could be rated less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. |
| The chief executive of the charity Drugscope, Martin Barnes, said there were problems with the classification system and called for debate on the issue. | The chief executive of the charity Drugscope, Martin Barnes, said there were problems with the classification system and called for debate on the issue. |
| Debate | Debate |
| "It was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly [and] levels of drug-related harms increase. | "It was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly [and] levels of drug-related harms increase. |
| "I don't think there's a silver bullet. There's no ideal system - but let's look at whether or not - to use the Home office phrase - it's still fit for purpose. | |
| "Are there better ways of preventing drug use, better ways of enabling the police to prioritise their times and resources? Let's have the debate," he said. | "Are there better ways of preventing drug use, better ways of enabling the police to prioritise their times and resources? Let's have the debate," he said. |
| Meanwhile, the Association of Directors of Social Services warned that more than half of residential drug treatment providers in England were under financial pressure because of lack of referrals. | Meanwhile, the Association of Directors of Social Services warned that more than half of residential drug treatment providers in England were under financial pressure because of lack of referrals. |
| It said some providers could go out of business, as drug action teams were increasingly referring addicts to community-based schemes, which are often up to 20 times cheaper, but not as effective. | It said some providers could go out of business, as drug action teams were increasingly referring addicts to community-based schemes, which are often up to 20 times cheaper, but not as effective. |