MILLION POUND CANNABIS MESSAGE

A UKP1M Government campaign is to underline the message that cannabis will
remain illegal despite a change in the law.

The advertising campaign will begin on Thursday, one week before the
substance is downgraded from a class B to a class C drug.

Millions of leaflets will be handed out while newspapers and radio stations
will carry adverts which also warn the drug is harmful to health.

The Association of Chief Police Officers and Frank, a government-backed
drug advisory group, are running the joint initiative which is funded by
the Home Office.

An internal campaign managed by ACPO will ensure all police officers are
aware of the law change.

Home Office drugs minister Caroline Flint said, "Cannabis is harmful and
will remain illegal after 29 January, when it is reclassified to class C.
That is the simple message.

"By reclassifying cannabis we are being honest to young people about the
harm cannabis can cause in comparison to drugs such as crack and heroin.

"This is an open and effective way to tackle the problems associated with
class A drug use which Government medical advisers have recommended."

Ms Flint said the Home Office has been preparing the campaign for months
and was only launching it now, days ahead of the law change, to ensure the
message has the "greatest impact".

She added, "It is particularly important that we get the message across to
young people that cannabis remains illegal and that under 18s will still be
arrested for possession."

One million copies of the leaflets Cannabis and the Law and 1.5m copies of
Drugs and the Law will be distributed.