UK: CAMDEN'S TOP
COP: WE WILL ARREST CANNABIS SMOKERS
Source:
Hampstead & Highgate Express, London
Pub Date:
Friday, 23 January 2004
Subj: UK:
Camden's top cop: we will arrest cannabis smokers
Author: Matt
Eley
Matt Eley looks
at the new laws surrounding the use, sale and possession of cannabis.
CANNABIS smokers
who light up on the streets of Camden are still likely to be arrested following
the relaxation of drug laws, the boroughs top police officer has warned.
New laws coming
into force at midnight next Thursday will see cannabis downgraded from a Class
B to Class C drug.
But authorities
are keen to stress the drug has not been legalised or decriminalised.
Chief
Superintendent Anthony Brooks, Camdens Borough Commander, said people smoking
weed in public still face arrest, especially in notorious dealing areas such as
Camden Town.
He said: 'We
have done a lot of work around hotspots such as Camden Town and Euston Road and
it is the wrong message to send that where we have a cannabis supply problem,
we will tend to turn a blind eye to it.
'I don't think
there will be much of a change in most parts of Camden. The message we want to
get out to tackle the massive confusion over this issue is that this is
illegal. That hasn't changed at all.
People are still
likely to face arrest:
" If they
smoke cannabis in public view
" If they
offend repeatedly
" If there
is a local problem linked to cannabis use (such as Camden Town)
" If they
are caught in possession in premises used by young people, such as a school.
Adults caught
with small amounts of cannabis are likely to receive a warning and have the
drug confiscated but youths face arrest.
PC James Day,
Camden schools liaison officer, said: 'We have gone to great lengths to stress
that this is not a legalisation.
'The drug is
still illegal and, in most practical terms from the police point of view, it
will make little difference to how young people are dealt with.
Carole Hawkins,
headteacher at Royal School in Hampstead, said the law change would not alter
the school's 'zero tolerance on inappropriate substances'.
She said: 'We
will make sure that children are clear as to where they stand legally but our
school rules will remain the same 'pupils still face suspension or expulsion
for drugs.
The confusion
over the change in law, which downgrades cannabis to Class C but changes the
meaning of a Class C drug, has led to the Home Office launching a £1 million
information campaign to clarify the law.
In Camden the
Drug Action Team (CDAT) will also work with youngsters to explain the changes.
Megan Jones,
Camden's Community Safety and Drugs Manager, said: 'Our major concern is heroin
and crack, the use of which really undermines the quality of life in our
community, and that is where our focus is. Cannabis is not a major issue in the
area, except the open dealing at Camden Lock which we are dealing with.
'In many ways
the reclassification fits in with what we are already doing on the ground.
A spokesman for
the Legalise Cannabis Alliance added: 'The reclassification doesn't go far
enough for us.
'It fails to
address the situation of a person growing a few leaves in a loft or living room.
I just can't understand why the government wishes to keep a law on statute
allowing them to throw people in jail for medicinal or social use.
Residents need
the smoke to be cleared
WITH dozens of
stores selling paraphernalia and tourists visiting Camden Lock regularly
running the gauntlet of dealers muttering 'weed'and 'skunk', you could be
forgiven for thinking cannabis was already legal in Camden Town.
The Ham&High
polled traders, visitors and residents on changes in the law and asked whether
they thought they go far enough.
Amsterdam of
London is one of many shops on Camden High Street selling bongs, cigarette
papers and other smoking implements.
Rachad, who
works at the shop, told the Ham&High the reclassification of cannabis 'will
help business'.
He said:
'Everybody smokes cannabis. I get a lot of old people coming in to buy
accessories and papers.
'The police
should be worrying about harder drugs. On crack cocaine and heroin people can
stab you for £5, the police have to go heavy on that, but cannabis is natural,
it doesn't do any harm. Alcohol is worse.
Dan Alflatt, who
works on a market stall, added: 'I know it's going to be downgraded but that's
as far as I know. About 95 per cent of kids round here smoke weed. Police
should not be wasting time chasing after them.
Rob Adamson, 21,
who lives in Muswell Hill and regularly visits Camden Town, said: 'I think you
can buy it but you can't use it. The law is definitely not clear at all. The
government should set it out clearly.
He added that laws
on magic mushrooms, which can be sold legally as reported in last week's
Ham&High, were clearer than cannabis.
Tania Hamilton,
22, thought that Class C meant that cannabis was on a par with drugs bought
over the counter. 'Some people think it's legal, it should be made clear. There
should be leaflets reaching young people and information on the internet, 'she
said.