This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7636896.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Police against ecstasy downgrade Ecstasy downgrade is considered
(about 1 hour 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. The body that advises the government on illegal drugs is meeting to discuss whether ecstasy should be downgraded from a Class A drug to Class B.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is meeting to discuss whether the drug should be downgraded to Class B. Senior police officers have written to The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs urging it to leave ecstasy as a Class A drug, the BBC has learned.
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 went against a recommendation in May when it moved cannabis from Class C to B. Ministers ignored a recommendation in May, by moving cannabis up to Class B.
The meeting over ecstasy could set the government on another collision course with the Advisory Council, should it recommend reclassification.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".
'Relative damage''Relative damage'
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.
The number of deaths involving the use of ecstasy - known to chemists as MDMA - in England and Wales fell from 50 in 2003 to 47 in 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Professor Colin Blakemore, from Oxford University and the UK Drug Policy Commission, said all drugs were dangerous but that the issue was one of "relative harm".Professor Colin Blakemore, from Oxford University and the UK Drug Policy Commission, said all drugs were dangerous but that the issue was one of "relative harm".
"The problem, one of the problems, is the assumption that if the advisory council recommends that ecstasy should be downgraded they're in a sense encouraging people to use it - that's not the case at all. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme"The problem, one of the problems, is the assumption that if the advisory council recommends that ecstasy should be downgraded they're in a sense encouraging people to use it - that's not the case at all. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"They are simply making a statement about the relative damage associated with ecstasy compared with crack cocaine and heroin, where it is at the moment.""They are simply making a statement about the relative damage associated with ecstasy compared with crack cocaine and heroin, where it is at the moment."
The Transform Drug Policy Foundation, a charity that says prohibition is the major cause of drug-related problems, said this latest review would only result in "little more than posturing on all sides".The Transform Drug Policy Foundation, a charity that says prohibition is the major cause of drug-related problems, said this latest review would only result in "little more than posturing on all sides".
A spokesman said: "Given that the government overruled the council on cannabis reclassification, the entire exercise is doomed before it had begun."A spokesman said: "Given that the government overruled the council on cannabis reclassification, the entire exercise is doomed before it had begun."
'No safe dose''No safe dose'
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.