CHARITY CALLS FOR 'RELAXED' DRUG LAWS

A charity that advises the government on drugs policy is recommending that
people caught with small quantities of any illegal drugs should not be
prosecuted. DrugScope is to submit its recommendations for a change to the
drug laws to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday.

The charity says criminal proceedings should not be brought against anyone
found in possession of just a small amount of drugs - including heroin,
cocaine and ecstasy.

The proposals go considerably further than Home Secretary David Blunkett's
plans to reform the law on cannabis.

International research DrugScope - a well-respected body that receives
funding from the Department of Health - has based its recommendations on
international research and information from 900 member organisations. There
is no evidence, says DrugScope, that drug users are deterred by the threat
of prison or other criminal sanctions.

Instead, the report suggests that offenders could be issued with
on-the-spot fines, like parking tickets.

Addicts would have to undergo treatment, the charity recommends.

Cannabis reclassified In October, Mr Blunkett announced he wanted the UK's
laws covering cannabis to be eased so possession will no longer
automatically be an arrestable offence The drug would remain illegal under
Mr Blunkett's proposals but be re-classified from a class 'B' to a class
'C' drug.

The aim is to free police to concentrate on tackling harder drugs and
improve current legislation so it will "make more sense" to people on the
street, he said.

In a parallel move, licensing of cannabis derivatives for medical use --
such as the relief of multiple sclerosis symptoms -- will be given
government backing if current trials prove successful.