Drugs and the law
If you do decide to take drugs, you should be aware of the risks
both to your health & lifestyle, but also in terms of
drugs and the law. Most established drugs are illegal
and have been classified by the Government to allow Police to
confiscate & imprison people based on the drugs that they have
in their posession.
How are drugs classified?
Illegal drugs are classified into three categories - Classes A,
B and C. The drug classification they are given
depends on how harmful they are to you. Class A drugs are those
that are deemed most harmful and Class C the least.
Class A drugs
The following drugs are classified as Class A
drugs: Heroin, cocaine, crack,
LSD, ecstasy (MDMA),
2CB, mescaline,
methadone, methamphetamine, morphine, opium,
pethedine, psilocybin (raw or processed magic
mushrooms), DMT (Dimethyltryptamine), palfium,
phencyclidine.
Class B drugs
The following drugs are classified as Class B
drugs: Amphetamine, barbiturates, codeine,
dexamphetamine, DF118 (dihydrocodeine), methaqualone, cannabis,
spice (synthetic
cannabinoids sprayed onto herbal smoking products), mephedrone and
related cathinones, naphyrone, ritalin (methylphenidate).
* Many Class B drugs became Class A when prepared for
injection.
Class C drugs
The following drugs are classified as Class C
drugs: Benzodiazepine tranquilisers, mild amphetamine type
stimulants, gammaHydroxyButyrate (GHB), GBL, rohypnol, ketamine, BZP
(Benzylpiperazine), anabolic steroids (when
supplied).
Find out how Controlled Drugs, like medicines, are
classified.
Road Traffic Act 1972
It is illegal to drive when you are under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. This includes illegal drugs, prescribed medicines
or solvents such as glue.
The Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act
1997
Police can confiscate alcohol from young people under 18 who are
drinking in public places and who are creating "disorder or causing
nuisance".
If you have been in trouble with the police, using
substances or are affected by your parents' drug and alcohol use
then get in touch with the Offender Related Service (ORS) -
they also work with young people whose crime was
directly linked or as a result of drug or alcohol use.