Recreational drug users caught with illegal substances could be made to take drug tests, wear tags, be banned from clubs and even have their passports seized under proposals announced by the Government.
The Home Office, which is putting the plan out for consultation, says the "tougher penalties will help tackle the scourge of substance abuse in society which devastates lives and tears communities apart, as well as make our streets safer."
The Government argues that tougher measures on recreational users caught with substances like cannabis and cocaine will help cut drug use and protect vulnerable people, adding: "These measures are a step towards changing the damaging culture of drug use and the consumption of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine."
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The measures are a contrast to other countries like Portugal that have moved towards decriminalisation of drugs in favour of a public health approach. Many states in the USA have legalised cannabis in recent years. Germany announced a plan in 2021 to legalise cannabis.
The proposals have been published in a White Paper entitled ‘Swift, Certain, Tough. New Consequences for Drug Possession. The full paper is available to read here.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Drugs are a scourge across society. They devastate lives and tear communities apart.
"Drug misuse puts lives at risk, fuels criminality and serious and violent crime and also results in the grotesque exploitation of young, vulnerable people.
"We are cracking down on drug use with tougher consequences for so-called recreational drug users who will face the consequences of their actions through sanctions including fines and conditions to attend rehabilitation courses, while drug offenders could have their passports and driving licences confiscated.
"In line with our strategy to tackle the harmful consequences of drugs, we aim to reverse the rising trend of substance use in society, to protect the public from the harm and violence of drug misuse."
What could happen if you are caught with drugs under Government's new plan
Below are some of the punishments proposed for people caught with illicit substances, under the Government's drugs plan. The proposals will now go to a 12-week consultation.
- first-time offenders required to pay for and attend a drug awareness course or, if they don’t, pay an increased fixed penalty notice or face prosecution
- those found using drugs for a second time given a caution, sent on a further drug awareness course and face a period of mandatory, random drug testing for a period of up to three months
- offenders caught for a third time would likely be charged for their offence, and upon conviction, as part of a civil court order, could be subject to an exclusion order banning them from a specific location, such as a nightclub
- They could also be given a drug tag monitoring their usage, and have their passports and driving licences confiscated.
Under the plans, users caught in possession a first time will not be given a criminal conviction if they attend the course or pay the fine. Second time offenders will be cautioned, while those caught three times will face a criminal charge.
The White Paper explains: "Where appropriate, all first-time drug possession offenders should receive a tier 1 intervention. A second drug possession offence will attract a tier 2 intervention, and a third offence will receive a tier 3 intervention."
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