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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis Users Face Arrest in 'Hotspot' Areas, Says Met
Nick Allen and David Barrett PA News
Thursday 29 Jan 2004 Britain's largest police force will continue to arrest people for possession of cannabis in 'hotspot' areas where dealers are operating, it was disclosed today. Amid confusion on the day the drug was downgraded to Class C - the same as anti-depressants and anabolic steroids - the Metropolitan Police said it would still try to deter dealers in specific areas by arresting their customers. The strategy will essentially create 'no-go' areas for recreational cannabis users who, under the new system, were expected not to face arrest for their habit. The Met, working on the principle of cutting off supply by removing demand, has already used the tactic to tackle intense dealing activity in Landor Road, Brixton. Today, Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin said there may be places in future where arrests for cannabis possession are the norm. He said: 'There is a presumption against arrest but sometimes there will be a decision to have a positive presumption of arrest in a certain area. Home Secretary David Blunkett's move to reclassify cannabis - first set in motion more than two years ago - means possession of the drug will not lead to arrest in most cases. And police will no longer arrest most of the 80,000 adults a year who are currently charged with possession offences. But because of reclassification the law has been changed to allow officers to arrest for possession of class C drugs. Under the new law, cannabis possession will be illegal but will 'ordinarily not be an arrestable offence'. Instead, police will give an on-the-spot warning and the drug will be confiscated. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) has drawn up guidelines which say arrests should only be made in aggravated circumstances, such as smoking a joint outside schools. It remains unclear how closely forces will stick to the Acpo guidelines. A survey by The Guardian newspaper last week indicated that some forces - such as Gloucestershire, Derbyshire and Hertfordshire - will continue to arrest cannabis users even for possession of small amounts, while others had introduced the 'softly, softly' approach ahead of the formal change. Under the Acpo rules, aggravating features leading to arrest are: Smoking the drug in public Repeat offending Possession of the drug inside or near places where there are children, including schools and youth clubs Where users are causing a 'local policing problem' which is creating a 'fear of public disorder'. The guidelines apply to adults only. The way under-18s caught with cannabis are dealt with remains unchanged - they receive a formal warning at a police station. An officer who finds someone in possession of the drug will still have to record the incident as a crime. However, Acpo has not specified a maximum weight at which cannabis users can claim their stash was for personal use, claiming it would be difficult for officers to determine quantities while on the beat. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir John Stevens admitted earlier this month there was a 'massive amount of muddle' in the public's mind about the official position on cannabis. Ministers have always said the move is designed to free up police to be able to target hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. Home Office research indicates it is these hardcore addicts who are responsible for 99% of the UKP18.8 billion a year which drug abuse costs society. But Sir John said that it had to be made 'absolutely clear' that use and possession of cannabis remained illegal. At the same time, the Government has launched a UKP1 million press and radio advertising campaign to educate people about the change in the law. Just last week, doctors' leaders launched a last-minute campaign to stop the cannabis downgrading. The British Medical Association said it was 'extremely concerned' the move would mislead users into thinking it was safe. 'Chronic cannabis smoking increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema,' said BMA deputy chairman Dr Peter Maguire. 'The public must be made aware of the harmful effects that we know result from smoking this drug. Last Friday, Tory leader Michael Howard refused to say whether he had ever smoked cannabis after a challenge by Mr Blunkett. Mr Howard condemned the decision to relax the law on cannabis as 'absurd'. --=======354F32CA=======--
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