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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Police against ecstasy downgrade | Police against ecstasy downgrade |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Senior police officers have written to a government advisory panel urging it to leave ecstasy as a Class A drug, the BBC has learned. | Senior police officers have written to a government advisory panel urging it to leave ecstasy as a Class A drug, the BBC has learned. |
| The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is meeting to discuss whether the drug should be downgraded to Class B. | |
| Incoming head Prof David Nutt has said ecstasy is less harmful than cocaine or heroin and should be reclassified. | Incoming head Prof David Nutt has said ecstasy is less harmful than cocaine or heroin and should be reclassified. |
| The government oppose a change and went against a recommendation in May when it moved cannabis from Class C to B. | |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the meeting over ecstasy "could set the government on another collision course with the Advisory Council, should it recommend reclassification". | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the meeting over ecstasy "could set the government on another collision course with the Advisory Council, should it recommend reclassification". |
| The panel will review the latest evidence before making its decision. | The panel will review the latest evidence before making its decision. |
| As part of the discussions, panel members will consider the submission from the Association of Chief Police Officers, stating that transferring ecstasy to class B would send out an "unfortunate message". | As part of the discussions, panel members will consider the submission from the Association of Chief Police Officers, stating that transferring ecstasy to class B would send out an "unfortunate message". |
| 'No safe dose' | 'No safe dose' |
| An estimated 250,000 people in England and Wales take ecstasy every month. | An estimated 250,000 people in England and Wales take ecstasy every month. |
| As a Class A drug, the penalties for possession and supply are the most severe. | As a Class A drug, the penalties for possession and supply are the most severe. |
| Possession carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. | Possession carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. |
| Dealers face a maximum jail term of life imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. | Dealers face a maximum jail term of life imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. |
| Possession of Class B drugs carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, while dealing can attract a term of up to 14 years. | Possession of Class B drugs carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, while dealing can attract a term of up to 14 years. |
| The Home Office has said ecstasy should stay in class A because there is no such thing as a "safe dose". | The Home Office has said ecstasy should stay in class A because there is no such thing as a "safe dose". |
| In May, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced plans to reclassify Cannabis as a Class B drug. | In May, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced plans to reclassify Cannabis as a Class B drug. |
| This was despite the council stating it should remain as Class C. | This was despite the council stating it should remain as Class C. |