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Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking
Drugs - a 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 can mean up to 2 years in prison or a fine or both.
- Possession of a class B drug (cannabis) can lead up to 5 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
Cannabis was reclassified from a Class C drug to Class B drug in January 2009.
Young people in possession of cannabis
A young person found to be in possession of cannabis will be arrested and taken to a police station where they can receive a reprimand, final warning or charge depending on the seriousness of the offence.
Following one reprimand, any further offence will lead to a final warning or charge. Any further offence following a warning will normally result in criminal charges. After a final warning, the young offender must be referred to a Youth Offending Team to arrange a rehabilitation programme.
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.
The NHS have given guidelines on the maximum amount of alcohol you should have in a day if you want to stay healthy. For adult men it's 3-4 units and for women it's 2-3 units a 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
Since 1st October 2007 it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18 years of age - this includes cigarettes, cigars, roll-your-own and pipe tobacco as well as cigarette rolling papers.
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.
Useful contacts
www.eddass.org.uk (local drug and alcohol services)
Posted on 02 October 2009
