The action, according to Home Secretary Priti Patel, demonstrates that the government is “breaking down on drug addiction,” a “societal plague.”
Under new government proposals, recreational drug users in England and Wales could have their passports and driver’s licenses revoked.
The most recent crackdown on drug use in society would also subject cocaine and cannabis users to fines and drug education classes.
According to the administration, harsher sanctions would aid in combating the “scourge” of substance misuse in society.
Recent estimates indicate that more than three million persons in England and Wales reported drug use in 2019/20.
These recommendations have been published in a white paper titled “Swift, Certain, and Robust New Consequences for Possession of Drugs “.
The increasing severity of sanctions for drug users in England and Wales could include the following:
• First-time offenders must pay for and complete a drug education program.
• First-time offenders who do not attend a course are required to pay a higher Fixed Penalty Notice or face prosecution.
• Those caught using drugs a second time would receive a warning, be required to take an additional drug awareness course, and be subject to random drug testing for up to three months.
• Offenders caught a third time are likely to be charged, and following conviction, as part of a civil court order, they may be subject to an exclusion order excluding them from a particular area, such as a nightclub.
• Third-time drug offenders may have a drug monitoring tag and have their passports and driver’s licenses seized.
“Increasing trend of substance abuse”
Following the publishing of the 10-year medicines plan in December, the recommendations will be submitted to a 12-week public comment period.
The action, according to Home Secretary Priti Patel, demonstrates that the government is “breaking down on drug use.”
“Drugs are a plague on society. They destroy lives and rip apart communities “Ms. Patel added.
“Drug abuse endangers lives, drives serious and violent crime, and results in the hideous exploitation of young, vulnerable individuals.”
She continued, “By our plan to combat the harmful effects of drugs, we strive to reverse the rising trend of substance abuse in society to safeguard the public from the harm and violence of drug abuse.”
