Consequences
Fines
 

Partners & friends.



 

Academic & Career Consequences
You may be surprised to learn that it is an offence for the occupier or a person concerned with the management of any premises, to allow the production or supply of a class A, B or C drug. So if you invite friends back to your flat, and you know they are sharing a controlled drug, and you do nothing to stop them, you have committed an offence.

If you are a first time offender charged with possessing drugs for your own use, it is possible that you may be cautioned. Do remember a caution means a criminal record and that has implications for your future career.

It is not just criminal records and heavy fines that students need to be aware of when engaging in any activities that involve drugs. Most universities and colleges will expel students from their premises if caught in possession of, taking or supplying drugs. This can mean that if caught you could be homeless very quickly with no favourable reference for future accommodation. Furthermore universities or colleges may inform the police, not to mention throw you off your course of study. This again would make it very hard to apply successfully for a course of education at another college or university.

Students should be aware that increasingly employers are introducing mandatory drugs tests for potential employees and as some drugs can stay in the body for a month or more, you should be aware of the implications of taking illegal drugs. Peoples attitudes to drugs vary and not everyone may share your opinions, thus what some may think is harmless recreational drug use, may be seen by friends or family members as a serious breach of the law and carry heavy moral judgements. Drug conviction can also create difficulties when applying for some travel visas. So it is worth bearing in mind all these factors before you engage in any activity that involves illegal drug use.

It is a common myth that some areas have an amnesty for people caught in possession of drugs. As with all crimes the police will handle each case on its own merits. BE WARNED possession can lead to imprisonment and heavy fines. The interpretation of who is a 'dealer' or supplier of these drugs is made by the police and the courts and not the individual. Even if you are dealing 'not for profit', supplying drugs carries heavy penalties.

The Misuse of Drugs Act states the Maximum penalties for: POSSESION (having the drug) and SUPPLYING (including intending to supply, selling, sharing, bartering etc.) of certain drugs.





Maximum Penalties in a Magistrates Court for some Drugs These drugs are listed as Class A, B or C. Some of them are shown below:~

DRUG TYPE:~
CLASS A: Cocaine, crack; heroin, and other strong opiates such as methadone, Ecstasy, LSD, and hallucinogenic mushrooms if dried or processed.

POSSESSION:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.

SUPPLY:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.


CLASS B: Amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, and mild opiates e.g. DF118s. Any class B drugs designed for injection count as class A.

POSSESSION:~
3 MONTHS imprisonment or £500 fine or both.

SUPPLY:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.


CLASS C: Cannabis leaf and resin, Anabolic steroids Benzodiazepines (tranquillisers), e.g. Valium, Temazepam, Rohypnol etc

POSSESSION:~
3 MONTHS* imprisonment or £200* fine or both.

SUPPLY:~
3 MONTHS imprisonment or £500 fine or both.

* Possession penalty applies only to Temazepam and Rohypnol

If you are sentenced in a Crown Court, the maximum penalties for supplying class A drugs can be life or an unlimited fine or both. For class B drugs you can recieve a maximum of 14 years imprisonment and for class C you can recieve 5 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fines.