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| Crystal meth may be reclassified | Crystal meth may be reclassified |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Crystal Methamphetamine may be reclassified as a Class A drug under new rulings expected to be announced. | Crystal Methamphetamine may be reclassified as a Class A drug under new rulings expected to be announced. |
| It comes as the latest drug survey figures are published, which show an increased use of certain substances but overall drug abuse falling. | It comes as the latest drug survey figures are published, which show an increased use of certain substances but overall drug abuse falling. |
| Crystal Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug which can lead its users into a destructive lifestyle. | Crystal Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug which can lead its users into a destructive lifestyle. |
| Reclassification from Class B could lead to an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail for users. | Reclassification from Class B could lead to an unlimited fine or up to seven years in jail for users. |
| 'Cannabis drop' | 'Cannabis drop' |
| The British Crime Survey which is published on Friday is understood to show that drug use overall is down. | |
| However, against that background there are some individual increases, said BBC home affairs correspondent Rory MacLean. | |
| The survey, he said, is expected to show a drop in the number of people using cannabis. | |
| It was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly Martin BarnesDrugscope | |
| The government is also expected to say it plans to stick to the classification of drugs into A, B and C classes in response to a parliamentary committee report saying the system was not fit for purpose | The government is also expected to say it plans to stick to the classification of drugs into A, B and C classes in response to a parliamentary committee report saying the system was not fit for purpose |
| In July, a committee of MPs said the designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause. | In July, a committee of MPs said the designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause. |
| The Science Select Committee said the present system was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment. Some of the drugs could be rated less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. | The Science Select Committee said the present system was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment. Some of the drugs could be rated less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. |
| The chief executive of the charity Drugscope, Martin Barnes, said there were problems with the classification system and called for debate on the issue. | |
| Debate | |
| "It was introduced 35 years ago and during that time we've seen levels of drug use increase significantly [and] levels of drug-related harms increase. "I don't think there's a silver bullet. There's no ideal system - but let's look at whether or not - to use the Home office phrase - it's still fit for purpose. | |
| "Are there better ways of preventing drug use, better ways of enabling the police to prioritise their times and resources? Let's have the debate," he said. | |
| Regarding treatment, the Association of Directors of Social Services warned that more than half of residential drug treatment providers in England were under financial pressure because of lack of referrals. | |
| It said some providers could go out of business, as drug action teams are increasingly referring addicts to community-based schemes, which are often up to 20 times cheaper, but not as effective. |