 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Sitemap Human Trafficking Signs of Trafficking Theological reflections About Us Contact us Home |
|||
DRUGS TRADE
|
|
Legislation Internationally, the United Nations Office on Drugs Crime (UNODC) is responsible for several conventions to fight organised crime. These include the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols (including the protocol on Human Trafficking). The Drug Trafficking Act 1994 was a key development in the government’s fight against the illegal drugs trade. The act gave police the power to seize assets and income of drugs traffickers and made it illegal to trade in equipment used for the preparation/use of controlled drugs. In the UK there are three levels of illegal drugs. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 categorises illegal drugs as controlled substances of Class A, B or C. There are penalties for possession and supply of these drugs. Category A drugs, including heroine and crack cocaine, are considered those most likely to cause harm and supplying these drugs carries a maximum life prison sentence and unlimited fine, possession carries a seven year maximum sentence along with unlimited fine. Class B drugs carry smaller penalties and include amphetamine tablets and cannabis. Class C drugs include some painkillers and tranquillisers. More details here. The illegal drug trade - the world’s third largest economy A short overview of the global financial picture The Annual UN World Drug Report gives more in depth details. The British situation is summarised here (in the second half of the article). It is not easy to gauge the extent of damage caused by illegal drugs, but the “Measuring Harm” report on the “Drug Harm Index” is an attempt to assess impacts in the UK. A more accessible perspective is available in this 10 March 2009 article in The Guardian.
|
|
