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When it comes to drugs and the law they can fall into many categories. Different drugs carry different restrictions and may or may not be a criminal offence to either posses or supply.
The following list should give you some insight into the most common cases. For more information on any individual drug take a look through our drug database |
These include cocaine, crack, ecstacy, heroin, LSD and magic mushrooms (containing psilocin ). They are the most harmful drugs and carry the heaviest penalties. It is illegal to have, give away or deal in Class A drugs.
Penalty For Possession : 7 years in jail plus an unlimited fine
Penalty For Supply : Life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine.
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These include speed (amphetamines). Any Class B drug prepared for injection will be treated as Class A. It is illegal to have, give away or deal in Class B drugs.
Penalty For Possession : 5 years in jail plus an unlimited fine.
Penalty For Supply : 14 years in jail plus an unlimited fine. |
These include cannabis, GHB, anabolic steroids and tranquillisers such as valium. It is illegal to have, give away or deal in Class C drugs, and to grow cannabis plants.
Penalty For Possession : 2 years in jail plus an unlimited fine
Penalty For Supply : 14 years in jail plus an unlimited fine |
The Medicines Act divides medicines into three categories:
- Restricted medicines or prescription-only medicines, which can only be supplied from a registered pharmacy by or under the supervision of a pharmacist on receipt of a prescription from asupplementary prescriber (who can be nurses or pharmacists prescribing within the terms of a clinical management plan for a specific patient)
- Pharmacy medicines, which can be sold without a prescription but only by a pharmacist (also called over-the-counter medicines)
- general sales medicines, which can be sold without a prescription by any shop. Possession of some prescription-only medicines, such as Temazepam and Ritalin, is illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act if no prescription is held
Penalty For Possession : None
Penalty For Supply : various |
From 1st July 2007 it is an offence to smoke in any substantially or fully enclosed public space.
From 1st October 2007 it is an offense to sell tobacco products to under 18s
Penalty For Possession : None
Penalty For Supply : Various if sold without liscence or sold to u - 18s |
It is an offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 to give alcohol to any child under the age of 5, except in a medical emergency. Children over 5 can legally consume alcohol in a private environment, although police have powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s who are drinking in a public place. At present, at the discretion of the licence holder, children of any age may enter premises licensed for the sale of alcohol for consumption on those premises, like a public house, but only children aged over 14 or over may enter the bar area whether they are accompanied by an adult or not. It is illegal for the staff of licensed premises to knowingly sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 or allow them to consume alcohol in the bar area of their premises. It is also an offence for a child to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on licensed premises. It is illegal for an adult to purchase alcohol on behalf of a person under 18. However, an exception allows young people aged 16 and 17 accompanied by an adult to consume beer, porter, and cider with a meal on licensed premises. At present it is lawful for children over the age of 4 to purchase or be supplied with alcohol in registered members clubs (such as ex-services, working men's and sports clubs).
Changes to the law on alcohol as set out in the Licensing Act 2003 are unlikely to be brought into force before May 2005. Details of the current status of these provisions can be obtained from www.culture.gov.uk
Penalty For Possession : None
Penalty For Supply : Various if sold without a licence or to U-18s |
In England and Wales it is an offence to sell solvent products to any person under 18 if the retailer has reason to suspect that the substances will be misused. Butane product sales, such as lighter refills, are further restricted under the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999, in recognition of the high number of butane-related deaths. The regulations make it an offence to sell them to people under the age of 18 years, in any circumstances. The penalty is up to 6 months’ imprisonment or a £5000 fine.
Penalty For Possession : None
Penalty For Supply : Various |
It is an offence to be in charge of a motor vehicle while ‘unfit to drive through drink or drugs’. This includes alcohol, illegal drugs, prescribed medicines and solvents. The legal limit for alcohol levels in the blood while driving is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
Penalty For Possession : .
Penalty For Supply : . |
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Carbon Monoxide turns the blood Thick and Sticky |
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