Menu
11/02/2009
Council's Report Advises Ecstasy Downgrade
The Government's drug advisory body is expected to recommending downgrading ecstasy to a class B drug.
However, ministers have signalled they will reject the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) advice and keep the substance as a class A drug.
The council will publish its long-awaited investigation into the harm caused by the dance drug.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Ecstasy can and does kill unpredictably; there is no such thing as a 'safe dose'. The Government firmly believes that ecstasy should remain a Class A drug."
Ecstasy, which is currently grouped with heroin, cocaine, crack and LSD, as a Class A substance, is linked with around 30 deaths a year - up from ten a year in the early 1990s.
Earlier, a row erupted after the council's head Prof David Nutt likened the dangers of taking ecstasy to horse riding.
He was accused by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith of trivialising the dangers of the drug.
Prof Nutt apologised for any offence caused to the families of ecstasy victims, saying he had "no intention of trivialising the dangers of ecstasy".
He added: "I am sorry to those who may have been offended by my article. I would like to apologise to those who have lost friends and family due to ecstasy use.
"I would like to assure those who have read my article that I have no intention of trivialising the dangers of ecstasy."
Last month, the Home Office restored cannabis from Class C to Class B, against the wishes of the advisory council.
Ministers are now set to resist the council's recommendation on ecstasy.
(JM/BMcC)
However, ministers have signalled they will reject the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) advice and keep the substance as a class A drug.
The council will publish its long-awaited investigation into the harm caused by the dance drug.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Ecstasy can and does kill unpredictably; there is no such thing as a 'safe dose'. The Government firmly believes that ecstasy should remain a Class A drug."
Ecstasy, which is currently grouped with heroin, cocaine, crack and LSD, as a Class A substance, is linked with around 30 deaths a year - up from ten a year in the early 1990s.
Earlier, a row erupted after the council's head Prof David Nutt likened the dangers of taking ecstasy to horse riding.
He was accused by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith of trivialising the dangers of the drug.
Prof Nutt apologised for any offence caused to the families of ecstasy victims, saying he had "no intention of trivialising the dangers of ecstasy".
He added: "I am sorry to those who may have been offended by my article. I would like to apologise to those who have lost friends and family due to ecstasy use.
"I would like to assure those who have read my article that I have no intention of trivialising the dangers of ecstasy."
Last month, the Home Office restored cannabis from Class C to Class B, against the wishes of the advisory council.
Ministers are now set to resist the council's recommendation on ecstasy.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 September 2008
Ecstasy Could Be Reclassified By Advisory Panel
A government advisory body is set to discuss whether ecstasy should be downgraded from a Class A drug to Class B, against adverse advice from senior UK police officers. The Advisory Council's specialist drugs body has received a written request from police to maintain the illegal substance as a Class A drug.
Ecstasy Could Be Reclassified By Advisory Panel
A government advisory body is set to discuss whether ecstasy should be downgraded from a Class A drug to Class B, against adverse advice from senior UK police officers. The Advisory Council's specialist drugs body has received a written request from police to maintain the illegal substance as a Class A drug.
19 April 2010
Did Mephedrone Kill Penrith Teen?
An investigation was underway today to see if the lethal party drug mephedrone was involved in the death of a teenage girl from Cumbria. The body of Carmen Moulton, of Tyne Close Terrace in Penrith, was found at a house in the town's William Street in the early hours of Saturday.
Did Mephedrone Kill Penrith Teen?
An investigation was underway today to see if the lethal party drug mephedrone was involved in the death of a teenage girl from Cumbria. The body of Carmen Moulton, of Tyne Close Terrace in Penrith, was found at a house in the town's William Street in the early hours of Saturday.
05 June 2003
Plight of children affected by drugs scourge highlighted
Between 250,000 and 350,000 children have at least one parent with a serious drug problem, according to a new report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
Plight of children affected by drugs scourge highlighted
Between 250,000 and 350,000 children have at least one parent with a serious drug problem, according to a new report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
25 September 2015
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
Further Six Arrested In No Deal Operation In Birmingham
A further six people have been arrested as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected drug dealers in Birmingham. Police carried out a series of dawn raids on Thursday 24 September, arresting a 17-year-old man, two 19-year-olds and three men aged 21, 26 and 47.
17 October 2003
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
54 arrested in swoop on suspected drug dealers
Sellers of the Big Issue were among 54 people arrested by Merseyside Police today in a crackdown on drug dealing in Liverpool city centre. Operation Manton targeted suspected drug dealers and drug users and 50 men and four women were arrested following a 15-month long investigation by Merseyside Police into drug dealing on the city's streets.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy start with patchy mainly light rain, but becoming brighter through the day as the rain turns more showery, the best of any sunnier spells in the south. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:A few bright spells at first and any showers gradually dying out. Low cloud and mist or drizzle over northern coastal parts will spread south to most areas overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
