BRITS WON'T REDUCE DRUG PENALTIES

LONDON (AP) -- The British governmental department that oversees law
enforcement said Tuesday it would not follow an independent think-tank's
recommendation to reduce criminal penalties for possession of certain
illegal drugs.

The Home Office said it opposed the Police Foundation's recommendation to
abolish prison sentences for possession of any drugs other than so-called
class A substances like heroin and cocaine.

``We see no justification for it. It would not improve the situation, it
would make it worse,'' government drug czar Keith Hellawell said at a
conference of community anti-drug action groups in Brighton in southern
England.

Under the report, heroin and cocaine would remain in class A, but ecstasy
and LSD would be downgraded to class B. Marijuana would be transferred from
class B to class C, the lowest category.

The report said prison sentences should be abolished for possession of
class B and C drugs, and the maximum prison sentences for possession of
class A drugs reduced and imposed only when community service and treatment
have failed or been rejected.

``We have concluded that the most dangerous message of all is the message
that all drugs are equally dangerous,'' said Lady Runciman, who chaired the
review.

``When young people know that the advice they are being given is either
exaggerated or untrue in relation to less harmful drugs, there is a real
risk they will discount everything else they are told about the most
hazardous drugs,'' Runciman said.