The number of drugs seized and people arrested vary greatly from year to year. This generally reflects the activity of the police and customs, rather than the amount of drugs available. UK statistics in drug seizures made by the police…
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Should drugs be legalised?
The call for the present drug laws to be changed has come from many quarters. The legalisation debate The debate itself can be broken down into three key elements: Civil liberties versus the duty of the state; The harm caused…
How many drugs are seized by customs?
DrugWise infographic on drug seizures (PDF) Every year the UK Border Force intercept hundreds of shipments and people bringing illicit drugs into the country. The police seize drugs already in the country, either smuggled, grown or manufactured here. The number…
How much crime is drug related?
When we think of the links between drugs and crime we usually think about dependent users of drugs like heroin and crack cocaine who commit crimes such as theft, burglary, fraud and shoplifting to get money to buy drugs. However, drugs…
How many drug crimes are committed?
In 2019/20, there were around 175,000 drug offences recorded by the police in England and Wales. This is 13% higher than 2018/19. This House of Commons briefing paper, published in October 2020, provides an extensive overview of statistics relating to…
What are the penalties for possessing or supplying drugs?
The penalties for possession and supply depend on the class the drug belongs to. The maximum penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) are as follows: Drug class Possession Supply Class A 7 years + fine Life + fine Class…
How are the UK’s drug laws enforced?
There are a number of UK legislative controls to restrict the supply and use of drugs in the UK. The following agencies are responsible for enforcing them. Enforcement agencies Serious Organised Crime Agency The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) was…
What are the UK drug laws?
The laws controlling drug use are complicated but there are three main statutes regulating the availability of drugs in the UK: The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), The Medicines Act (1968) and The Psychoactive Substances Act (2016) Downloads: The Misuse of…
What types of treatment are there?
People who have problems with drug use can access help and treatment either through the health and welfare system. (via drug advice services or GP referral) or through the criminal justice system if they have committed an offence. Health and welfare…
Where can I get help?
There are different kinds of help available for people who have problems with drugs or need advice and information. Below we briefly describe the different types of help that are available across the country. Please see our Find a service…