Drugs - I.A.S

OP

There are lots of stuff out there but want to try and have an open forum where people can post views and also seek information / support. Good link tho :smile:

Reply 3

OP

One thing i never knew / realised was the laws regards to Cannabis. its changed so much recently didnt know what was what....this might be helpful..

On January 29th 2004 cannabis was downgraded to Class C. it is still illegal to possess, and supply.

What does this mean for me?

If you are over 18
You will have your stash confiscated, and probably just receive an on the spot warning.
The police may still arrest you if you are near where young people and children hang out (school, youth club, parks etc), or if you are causing problems by smoking in public.
It is still down to individual police discretion whether they arrest you or not. Remember, even if you do not get arrested, you could still received a court summons, and receive a sentence, and a criminal record.

If you are under 18
You should be arrested and taken to the police station where an appropriate adult (parent / guardian, social worker) will be called.
If it is your first offence, and you admit it, you may be given a reprimand and referred to your local Youth Offending Team.
If you are on your Final Warning, it will go to court.

Supply
Supply is a much more serious offence. Now the law has changed, the maximum sentence for supply of cannabis is 14 year. Remember, this includes buying a bit extra for your mates, and even passing a spliff! Hopefully, the law will view each case with discretion, but you never know.

Reply 4

rock_eleven

www.erowid.com for info on loads of psychoactives

Reply 5

OP

Not surprised, but still if they apply the law to the letter you can get in serious trouble even now with it being C class. 14 years for passing a spliff to a mate wow ! lol
alot of people dont understand the law so hopefully this thread will make people realise the risks involved both health wise and law wise.

Reply 6

~the_one~

But the laws do seem quite lax, loads of my mates have been stopped with possesion but all that happens is the police took in off them and said dont do it again...

Reply 7

OP

yeah i guess if the police arrested and charged everyone they would have very full prisons, guess persistant offenders would be delt with more in line with the law.

Reply 8

xXMessedUpXx

I really wish people would make an isue out of nicotine addiction, it's still an ddiction that can leads to many illnesses than can kill in terrible ways and yet it's socially acceptable.

Reply 9

nikk

xXMessedUpXx

I really wish people would make an isue out of nicotine addiction, it's still an ddiction that can leads to many illnesses than can kill in terrible ways and yet it's socially acceptable.

I wish people would make a similar issue out of drinking alcohol...it actually costs the country more money than ciggerettes, as well as being responsible for a huge number of deaths.

IMO, alchohol should not be sold to under 21s and there should be zero tolerance on drunks causing trouble in the streets. Drinking driving should also entail a lifetime ban instead of 2/3 years. But that's just my opinion.

Reply 10

OP

Very true both Nicotine and Alcohol are both addictive drugs which are more widely used than any other drug and it is very strange how they both seem socially accepted yet other drugs are not.

Reply 11

nikk

onaed

Very true both Nicotine and Alcohol are both addictive drugs which are more widely used than any other drug and it is very strange how they both seem socially accepted yet other drugs are not.

I agree. Although I would point out that smoking is now beginning to be seen as socially unacceptable. It is banned in a hell of a lot of places now and non-smokers are more willing to make a big fuss if a smoker smokes around them. There are also all the talk of a complete ban and all the anti-smoking adverts etc.

Alcohol on the other hand is completely accepted. It is still seen as 'cool' to go out and get so wasted your can't control yourself or remember anything. People don't seem to realise how dangerous alcohol is on your liver. Many of my friends go out and exceed the weekly recommended dose in ONE NIGHT! Then they do it again the next night! We as a country have never binged drunk like todays generation - i'm sure in 20 years time most of the adult population will require liver transplants! The bad effects on the body is one thing, but then there is the increased cost of policing the streets at night, deaths caused by drink-driving, anti-social behaviour, and alcoholics. In my opinion alcohol is one very nasty drug and it disgusts me that it is so accepted in this country. I only realised this recently on a trip to America where alcohol is dealt with much more sensibly.

Reply 12

OP

Drink drivers are a disgrace, especially as alot of times they walk away from accidents leaving innocent people injured or dead.
Not sure why Alcohol is an accepted drug as you say too much is very damaging for your liver, will do a bit of research and post my finding...

Reply 13

scutt

Raising the minimum age does nothing but create more criminals. Then what? Those that supply minors will still supply minors, they didn't care originally, why would they care now? What would solve the problem is harsher penalties on those supplying it. BUT, i'm against that. I work in an off-licence, on a Friday night when you're busy as hell it's damn easy to let someone slip through the gap. My punishement? £3000 for alcohol, £5000 for cigarettes.

And, as far as drug-addiction goes, these people aren't criminals, they're sick, and need help.

Reply 14

nikk

scutt

Raising the minimum age does nothing but create more criminals. Then what? Those that supply minors will still supply minors, they didn't care originally, why would they care now? What would solve the problem is harsher penalties on those supplying it. BUT, i'm against that. I work in an off-licence, on a Friday night when you're busy as hell it's damn easy to let someone slip through the gap. My punishement? £3000 for alcohol, £5000 for cigarettes.

And, as far as drug-addiction goes, these people aren't criminals, they're sick, and need help.

I like the American system of IDing everyone even if they are obviously over 21. And only accept offical ID such as passports / driving licences etc.

Sure it won't stop ALL underage drinking as there are over means of obtaining it, but it will make it much harder to drink underage and that has to be a good thing.

Reply 15

anjimcflanji

I agree only PL passports should be allowed. I am not in favour of this govt's ID cards but that's for another thread. I've never tried any illegal drugs, don't see the point but also we don't fully know the long term effects of such drugs. There has to be something wrong in this country if children on certain estates want to grow up to be a drugdealer...but I can't see a workable solution as drugs have become sadly a part of modern day society...

However for alcohol I think 18 works but ID'ing needs to be enforced more than it is. I don't think the american system works it encourages fatal binge drinking suchs as the 21shots custom for your bday which around 50 ppl died from last year. Not that it works in this country but that is due to a breakdown of morals, parents and schools do not discipline enough but also these clubs and pubs that off cheap alcohol only encourage drunken antics, such as unprotected sex,rape, assault, theft not to mention the damage binge drinking does regulary.
but what's the answer? something needs to be done fast!

Reply 16

OP

At no point should we class drug addicts as criminals, that needs to be made clear. yes there is a link between drungs and crime but thats in a small amount of cases. good debate tho...
we also need to focus of the information / awareness / support sides of the issue

Reply 17