Drug classes A, B and C to remain -UK

[grecian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6046522.stm

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.
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.

Earlier it was announced that crystal methamphetamine will become class A.

The use of class A drugs has remained stable although cocaine use in the UK has increased, a survey has found.

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.

The Science Select Committee said the present set-up was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment.

Some drugs can be rated as less harmful than tobacco or alcohol.

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.

But it found overall class A drug use remained stable and the use of all drugs declined in 2005-6.

Silver bullet

The chief executive of the charity Drugscope, Martin Barnes, said there were problems with the classification system and called for debate on the issue.

"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.

"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.

And as expected, methamphetamine - or crystal meth - is to be reclassified from a class B to a class A drug.

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.

The stimulant induces euphoria, but can lead to side effects such as violent behaviour and depression.

[SPWIM]

The sad fact is that most people I know and their parents believe all the drug demonisation they're fed, so are going to see this as a positive step.

[Trebor]

If we were to be honest about the effects of drugs, I'd believe that people wouldn't just take them, that they'd take them after boning upon their knowledge of them.