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Crystal meth to be Class A drug Drug classes A, B and C to remain
(about 1 hour later)
Crystal methamphetamine is to be reclassified as a Class A drug, the Home Office has announced. Drugs will continue to be designated as class A, B or C, despite MPs claiming the classification system was "not fit for purpose", the Home Office has said.
It comes as the latest drug survey shows increased use of some substances, but overall drug abuse falling. There will be no review of the process, even though MPs on the Commons science committee wanted changes to reflect the harm caused by different substances.
Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant which induces euphoria, but which can lead to side effects such as violent behaviour and depression. Earlier it was announced that crystal methamphetamine will become class A.
Reclassification from Class B could lead to an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail for users. The use of class A drugs has remained stable although cocaine use in the UK has increased, a survey has found.
'Cannabis drop' There's no ideal system - but let's look at whether or not [the drug classification system is] still fit for purpose Martin BarnesDrugscope
The British Crime Survey, which is published on Friday, is understood to show that drug use overall is down. The Home Office was responding to the MPs' claims that the designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause.
However, there are some individual increases, said BBC home affairs correspondent Rory MacLean. The Science Select Committee said the present set-up was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment.
The survey, he said, is expected to show a drop in the number of people using cannabis. Some drugs can be rated as less harmful than tobacco or alcohol.
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 British Crime Survey has already estimated that 750,000 people took cocaine powder last year, with a slight increases in all age ranges between 16 to 44. The highest use was by 20- to 24-year-olds.
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. But it found overall class A drug use remained stable and the use of all drugs declined in 2005-6.
It follows a parliamentary committee report which said the system was not fit for purpose. Silver bullet
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 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 "It was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly [and] levels of drug-related harm 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."
"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. The Home Office also announce there would be no change to the threshold for the amount of drugs that can be carried, without being charged with dealing.
"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. And as expected, methamphetamine - or crystal meth - is to be reclassified from a class B to a class A drug.
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 will be listed as one of the UK's most dangerous substances, alongside heroin and cocaine, and anyone caught with it faces an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail.
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. The stimulant induces euphoria, but can lead to side effects such as violent behaviour and depression.