Ecstasy downgrade discussed

[26 September 2008]

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will be meeting to discuss whether ecstasy should be downgraded from Class A to Class B.

Senior police officers have written to the government panel urging them to keep the drug classified as Class A. They said that it would send out an 'unfortunate message' if a reclassification did take place. It has been said that as ecstasy is less harmful than cocaine or heroin and so should be reclassified. The Advisory Council will review all the evidence before coming to a decision. If ecstsasy remains to be a Class A drug, the penalties are more severe. Those caught in possession of the drug can face a maximum sentence of seven years in jail, an unlimited fine, or both. Dealers face a maximum jail term of life imprisonment. Possessing a Class B drug can see an individual face five years in prison, and 14 years in prison for dealers. An estimated 250,000 people in England and Wales take ecstasy every month.

To read the full story, visit the BBC News website.

Please note: Crimestoppers is not responsible for the content on external websites.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity and not part of the police. If you wish to pass on information about crime anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or fill out our anonymous online Giving Information Form.