Drugs and alcohol

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Definition

The term ‘drugs’ can refer to any of the following – medicines, tobacco, alcohol and illegal substances.

Illegal drugs - the Law

The Misuse of Drugs Act divides illegal drugs into 3 classes (A, B, C), with different consequences depending on the drug and whether you intend to supply that drug.

‘Possession’of a drug means being caught with an illegal drug intended for your own use, whether you are carrying it or it is found in your home/car etc.

‘Possession with intent to supply drugs‘means being caught carrying drugs with the intention of dealing.

Penalties for possession of a class C drug (cannabis) can mean up to 2 years in prison or a fine or both. Possession of a class A drug (cocaine, ecstasy and heroin) can lead to a maximum of 7 years in prison or a fine or both. Penalties for dealing class C drugs range from an unlimited fine or up to 14 years or both. And it could mean up to life imprisonment for supplying class A drugs.

Cannabis and the law

Some people think cannabis is now a legal drug. This is not the case. Both the possession and supply of cannabis is illegal. The law on possession for under 18 year olds means for a first offence of possession, you will be arrested and given a formal warning or reprimand. Repeat offences will result in a final warning or charge.

Police do have the right to stop and search you if they have ‘reasonable suspicion’ that you are in possession of an illegal drug.

Alchohol

It’s a drug but it’s legal. Does it mean it’s safe? You can become addicted to it. It can also cause accidents, aggression, and illness.  It can cause problems in work, school and in relationships. 

Everybody is individual so the amount of alcohol you can handle will vary.  It depends on age, size and gender.  So, alcohol will affect a young person more quickly than an adult. 

Doctors have given guidelines on the maximum amount of alcohol you should have in a week if you want to stay healthy. For adult men it’s 21 units and for women it’s 14 units but not all in one day.

One unit = ½ pint average strength beer or 125ml glass of wine or 25ml measure of spirit (usual pub measure).

There are laws about how old you have to be to buy and drink alcohol and enter licensed premises. 

Solvents

A shop cannot sell solvents to anyone under 18 if they know they are going to abuse them.

Cigarettes

This also is a legal drug. At the moment the minimum age for buying tobacco based products is 16. For lighter refills, the age limit is 18.

Giving up smoking isn’t easy but there are benefits – more money, looking better, being healthier.

What are the effects?

Legal or illegal, it is important to know the effects and risks of any drug.

·        Drugs and alcohol can change the way you think and behave.  You may feel high or low and may do something you wouldn’t normally do.

·        You have no way of knowing how ‘pure’ some kinds of drugs are.

·        The only way to stay fully in control is not to take them.

Everyone has a choice – make sure you make the right one for you.