Home Office rejects decriminalising possession of drugs for personal use

Official advisory body says better to educate and apply civil sanctions rather than fine or imprison users
The Guardian (UK)
Friday, October 14, 2011

The Home Office has quickly rejected a call from the government's official drug advisers to decriminalise the personal possession of all illegal drugs, including heroin and cocaine. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has said it would be better if the tens of thousands of people caught with illicit drugs were sent on drug education and awareness courses rather than punished with fines and other penalties, up to imprisonment.