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<p>No specific assessment on trends in convictions for drug offences as a result of
policy changes has been made, but the Government takes the matter of harmful drugs
very seriously. Our approach to them remains clear - we must prevent drug misuse in
our communities and support people through treatment and recovery.</p><p>The police
have a range of powers at their disposal to deal with drug-related offences, such
as illegal possession, and how police choose to pursue investigations is an operational
decision for Chief Constables, but we are clear that we expect them to enforce the
law. We expect police to take a zero tolerance approach to drug possession, and this
can include sanctions other than prosecution. This includes referrals to treatment,
as well as sanctions to make offenders understand the impact of their actions and
opportunities for them to change their behaviour. However, we are clear prosecution
remains an option to deal with repeat offenders.</p><p>We keep the classification
of drugs under review. Ministers are subject to a statutory obligation to consider
advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), an independent scientific
advisory body, before making legislation on the classification of drugs under the
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Legislative changes are accompanied by a robust impact assessment
where we set out the potential impacts of such changes.</p>
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