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Academic & Career Consequences
You may be surprised to learn that it
is an offence for the occupier or a person concerned with the
management of any premises, to allow the production or supply
of a class A, B or C drug. So if you invite friends back to your
flat, and you know they are sharing a controlled drug, and you
do nothing to stop them, you have committed an offence.
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If you are a first time offender charged
with possessing drugs for your own use, it is possible that you
may be cautioned. Do remember a caution means a criminal record
and that has implications for your future career.
It is not just criminal records and heavy fines that students need
to be aware of when engaging in any activities that involve drugs.
Most universities and colleges will expel students from their premises
if caught in possession of, taking or supplying drugs. This can
mean that if caught you could be homeless very quickly with no favourable
reference for future accommodation. Furthermore universities or
colleges may inform the police, not to mention throw you off your
course of study. This again would make it very hard to apply successfully
for a course of education at another college or university.
Students should be aware that increasingly employers are introducing
mandatory drugs tests for potential employees and as some drugs
can stay in the body for a month or more, you should be aware of
the implications of taking illegal drugs. Peoples attitudes to drugs
vary and not everyone may share your opinions, thus what some may
think is harmless recreational drug use, may be seen by friends
or family members as a serious breach of the law and carry heavy
moral judgements. Drug conviction can also create difficulties
when applying for some travel visas. So it is worth bearing in mind
all these factors before you engage in any activity that involves
illegal drug use.
It is a common myth that some areas have an amnesty for people caught
in possession of drugs. As with all crimes the police will handle
each case on its own merits. BE WARNED possession can lead to
imprisonment and heavy fines. The interpretation of who is a
'dealer' or supplier of these drugs is made by the police and the
courts and not the individual. Even if you are dealing 'not for
profit', supplying drugs carries heavy penalties.
The Misuse of Drugs Act states the Maximum penalties for: POSSESION
(having the drug) and SUPPLYING (including intending to supply,
selling, sharing, bartering etc.) of certain drugs.
Maximum Penalties in a Magistrates Court for
some Drugs These drugs are listed as Class A, B or C. Some
of them are shown below:~
DRUG TYPE:~
CLASS A: Cocaine, crack; heroin, and other strong opiates such as
methadone, Ecstasy, LSD, and hallucinogenic mushrooms if dried or
processed.
POSSESSION:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.
SUPPLY:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.
CLASS B: Amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, and mild opiates e.g.
DF118s. Any class B drugs designed for injection count as class
A.
POSSESSION:~
3 MONTHS imprisonment or £500 fine or both.
SUPPLY:~
6 MONTHS imprisonment or £5,000 fine or both.
CLASS C: Cannabis leaf and resin, Anabolic steroids Benzodiazepines
(tranquillisers), e.g. Valium, Temazepam, Rohypnol etc
POSSESSION:~
3 MONTHS* imprisonment or £200* fine or both.
SUPPLY:~
3 MONTHS imprisonment or £500 fine or both.
* Possession penalty applies only to Temazepam and Rohypnol
If you are sentenced in a Crown Court, the maximum penalties
for supplying class A drugs can be life or an unlimited fine or
both. For class B drugs you can recieve a maximum of 14 years imprisonment
and for class C you can recieve 5 years imprisonment and/or unlimited
fines.
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