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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Campaign to Stress Cannabis Is Still Illegal
Stephanie Condron PA News
Sunday 18 Jan 2004 A UKP1 million Government campaign is to underline the message that cannabis will remain illegal despite a change in the law. The advertising campaign will begin on Thursday, one week before the substance is downgraded from a class B to a class c drug. Millions of leaflets will be handed out while newspapers and radio stations will carry adverts which also warn the drug is harmful to health. The Association of Chief Police Officers and Frank, a government-backed drug advisory group, are running the joint initiative which is funded by the Home Office. An internal campaign managed by ACPO will ensure all police officers are aware of the law change. Home Office drugs minister Caroline Flint said: 'Cannabis is harmful and will remain illegal after 29 January, when it is reclassified to class C. That is the simple message. 'By reclassifying cannabis we are being honest to young people about the harm cannabis can cause in comparison to drugs such as crack and heroin. 'This is an open and effective way to tackle the problems associated with class A drug use which Government medical advisers have recommended. Ms Flint said the Home Office has been preparing the campaign for months and was only launching it now, days ahead of the law change, to ensure the message has the 'greatest impact'. She added: 'It is particularly important that we get the message across to young people that cannabis remains illegal and that under 18's will still be arrested for possession. The Government is reclassifying cannabis from a class B to a class C drug as part of its overall drug strategy to focus on class A drugs, especially heroin and cocaine. Home Secretary David Blunkett moved to reclassify cannabis following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The group of scientific and medical experts argued the substance was less harmful than other Class B drugs, such as amphetamine. In terms of the law, the reclassification will put cannabis on a par with steroids. Andy Hayman, chairman of the ACPO Drugs Sub-Committee and Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, said: 'The reclassification of cannabis will enable police officers to focus more time and resources on Class A drugs which cause most harm to communities. The radio adverts begin from Thursday January 22 and will be played on 48 national and regional commercial radio stations in England. One million copies of the leaflets Cannabis and the Law and 1.5 million copies of Drugs and the Law will be distributed. --=======1485337=======--
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