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Drugs and the Law

REPORT OF THE
INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1971

Chairman: Viscountess Runciman DBE


This document is Copyright, 1999, by the Police Foundation. It appears on this site with the cooperation of the Police Foundation. We are grateful to them for a job well done in preparing this report, and for allowing this work to appear on this site.


Preface

Origin and remit of Inquiry

We were set up in August 1997 by The Police Foundation, with the assistance of the Prince’s Trust, to review the effectiveness of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Our report follows. Our membership and terms of reference are set out at Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.

We were assisted in our work by many organisations and individuals and we gratefully acknowledge here our indebtedness to all those who helped and supported us. Further details of this and of our programme of work are given in Appendices 3, 4 and 6.


Contents

Overview
Chapter One: The Legislation in Context
Chapter Two: The Present Situation


Chapter Three: Classes and Schedules


Chapter Four: Trafficking Offences


Chapter Five: Non-Trafficking Offences


Chapter Six: Enforcement


Chapter Seven: Cannabis


Chapter Eight: Treatment and The Law

Note of reservation by Denis F. O’Connor

Summary of Recommendations

Appendix 1 The Members of the Inquiry
Appendix 2 Terms of reference
Appendix 3 Witnesses Who Provided Oral Evidence
Appendix 4 Individuals and Organisations Submitting Written Evidence
Appendix 5 Main Events in Twentieth Century Drug Control
Appendix 6 Associated Publications