Drugs and the Law

• A young person between the ages of 14 and 18 is allowed to drink alcohol at home.

• A young person under 18 can only be in a bar or club selling alcohol if accompanied by an adult, AND the bar or club has a Children's Certificate displayed, showing that they have been given permission to have children present until 9pm.

• A 16 year old can work, or receive training, in a bar or club (holding a Children’s Certificate) if they have a written contract of employment.

Young people and the legal drinking age

Under age drinking and behaviour• It is against the law for someone under 18 to pretend to be

18 and drink alcohol. • It is an offence to sell alcohol to someone under 18.

Punishment - a fine, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both.

• Police can confiscate alcohol from people under 18 and take their name and address. They can arrest someone who will not cooperate.

• It is illegal to behave in a disruptive way (‘disorderly behaviour’) anywhere.

• It is illegal to sell alcohol to someone who is obviously drunk or showing disorderly behaviour.

Alcohol and driving• Police can arrest anyone that they suspect may have their

ability to drive impaired through drink or drugs, by using observations or roadside breath tests. This also applies to cyclists.

• Punishment for driving under the influence can involve your driving licence being removed for a period of time.

• Road accidents are one of the biggest causes of death and injury.

Classes of drugsCLASS AThese drugs are considered the most harmful

CLASS BA class B drug in injectable form is treated as a class A drug.

CLASS CThese are considered less harmful

Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection).

Amphetamines, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine.

Cannabis, tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine.

Maximum penalties for drugs

Class Possession Dealing

A Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

B Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

C Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Cannabis• Cannabis is illegal for any individual to have, give away or sell. • The police can arrest anyone found in possession of cannabis.• You may be given an ‘informed warning’ or go to court.• Possession of cannabis can result in two years in jail and/or an

unlimited fine.• Supplying or selling cannabis can result in 14 years in jail and/or

an unlimited fine.

Summary of drug-related offencesSupplying Buying or

possessingBeing intoxicated Those who are responsible for

premises who know but take no action to prevent

USE SUPPLY

Knowing a person is in possession or dealing and not telling

Solvents Illegal under 18

No offence Considered a breach of the peace in a public place. Illegal to drive

No offence No offence No offence

Benzodiazepines,Tranquillisers

Illegal No offence No offence. Illegal to drive

No offence Illegal No offence if in possession. Illegal if dealing

Magic Mushrooms

No offence

Unless prepared (eg cooked)

No offence unless prepared

No offence

Illegal to drive

No offence No offence unless prepared

No offence unless prepared

Heroin, cocaine, crack, LSD, amphetamines, ecstasy

Illegal Illegal No offence

Illegal to drive

No offence Illegal Illegal

Cannabis Illegal Illegal No offence

Illegal to drive

Illegal Illegal Illegal