CAMDEN'S TOP COP: WE WILL ARREST CANNABIS SMOKERS

Matt Eley Looks At The New Laws Surrounding The Use, Sale And Possession Of
Cannabis.

CANNABIS smokers who light up on the streets of Camden are still likely to
be arrested following the relaxation of drug laws, the boroughs top police
officer has warned.

New laws coming into force at midnight next Thursday will see cannabis
downgraded from a Class B to Class C drug.

But authorities are keen to stress the drug has not been legalised or
decriminalised.

Chief Superintendent Anthony Brooks, Camdens Borough Commander, said people
smoking weed in public still face arrest, especially in notorious dealing
areas such as Camden Town.

He said: 'We have done a lot of work around hotspots such as Camden Town
and Euston Road and it is the wrong message to send that where we have a
cannabis supply problem, we will tend to turn a blind eye to it.

'I don't think there will be much of a change in most parts of Camden. The
message we want to get out to tackle the massive confusion over this issue
is that this is illegal. That hasn't changed at all.

People Are Still Likely To Face Arrest:

" If they smoke cannabis in public view " If they offend repeatedly " If
there is a local problem linked to cannabis use (such as Camden Town) " If
they are caught in possession in premises used by young people, such as a
school.

Adults caught with small amounts of cannabis are likely to receive a
warning and have the drug confiscated but youths face arrest.

PC James Day, Camden schools liaison officer, said: 'We have gone to great
lengths to stress that this is not a legalisation.

'The drug is still illegal and, in most practical terms from the police
point of view, it will make little difference to how young people are dealt
with.

Carole Hawkins, headteacher at Royal School in Hampstead, said the law
change would not alter the school's 'zero tolerance on inappropriate
substances'.

She said: 'We will make sure that children are clear as to where they stand
legally but our school rules will remain the same 'pupils still face
suspension or expulsion for drugs.

The confusion over the change in law, which downgrades cannabis to Class C
but changes the meaning of a Class C drug, has led to the Home Office
launching a UKP 1 million information campaign to clarify the law.

In Camden the Drug Action Team (CDAT) will also work with youngsters to
explain the changes.

Megan Jones, Camden's Community Safety and Drugs Manager, said: 'Our major
concern is heroin and crack, the use of which really undermines the quality
of life in our community, and that is where our focus is. Cannabis is not a
major issue in the area, except the open dealing at Camden Lock which we
are dealing with.

'In many ways the reclassification fits in with what we are already doing
on the ground.

A spokesman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance added: 'The reclassification
doesn't go far enough for us.

'It fails to address the situation of a person growing a few leaves in a
loft or living room. I just can't understand why the government wishes to
keep a law on statute allowing them to throw people in jail for medicinal
or social use.

Residents Need The Smoke To Be Cleared

WITH dozens of stores selling paraphernalia and tourists visiting Camden
Lock regularly running the gauntlet of dealers muttering 'weed'and 'skunk',
you could be forgiven for thinking cannabis was already legal in Camden Town.

The Ham&High polled traders, visitors and residents on changes in the law
and asked whether they thought they go far enough.

Amsterdam of London is one of many shops on Camden High Street selling
bongs, cigarette papers and other smoking implements.

Rachad, who works at the shop, told the Ham&High the reclassification of
cannabis 'will help business'.

He said: 'Everybody smokes cannabis. I get a lot of old people coming in to
buy accessories and papers.

'The police should be worrying about harder drugs. On crack cocaine and
heroin people can stab you for UKP 5, the police have to go heavy on that,
but cannabis is natural, it doesn't do any harm. Alcohol is worse.

Dan Alflatt, who works on a market stall, added: 'I know it's going to be
downgraded but that's as far as I know. About 95 per cent of kids round
here smoke weed. Police should not be wasting time chasing after them.

Rob Adamson, 21, who lives in Muswell Hill and regularly visits Camden
Town, said: 'I think you can buy it but you can't use it. The law is
definitely not clear at all. The government should set it out clearly.

He added that laws on magic mushrooms, which can be sold legally as
reported in last week's Ham&High, were clearer than cannabis.

Tania Hamilton, 22, thought that Class C meant that cannabis was on a par
with drugs bought over the counter. 'Some people think it's legal, it
should be made clear. There should be leaflets reaching young people and
information on the internet,'she said.