Drug policy: legislation, strategies and economic analysis
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Introduction
The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England accounts for 84% of the UK population. A number of powers have been devolved from the United Kingdom Parliament to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but each has different levels of devolved responsibilities.
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 is the principal legislation in the United Kingdom with respect to the control and supply of drugs that are considered dangerous or otherwise harmful when misused. This Act divides such drugs into three Classes (A, B and C) to broadly reflect their relative harms and sets maximum criminal penalties for possession, supply and production in relation to each class. Drugs in Class A include cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, magic mushrooms, heroin, methadone, methylamphetamine and injectable amphetamine. Class B drugs include amphetamine, barbiturates, cannabis and, since April 2010, cathinones including mephedrone. Class C drugs include anabolic steroids, tran...
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