The penalty is likely to be more severe if you are found to be supplying drugs (dealing, selling or sharing). If you’re found with khat more than twice, you could get a maximum penalty of up to 2 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. Police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of £60 on the first 2 times that you’re found with khat. Police can issue a warning or an on-the-spot fine of £90 if you’re found with cannabis.

other aggravating or mitigating factors.

your personal history (previous crimes, including any previous drug offences).

If you’re under 18, the police are allowed to tell your parent, guardian or carer that you’ve been caught with drugs. You may be charged with possessing an illegal substance if you’re caught with drugs, whether they’re yours or not. Things that cause hallucinations, drowsiness or changes in alertness, perception of time and space, mood or empathy with othersįood, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, medicine and the types of drugs listed above do not count as psychoactive substances.

sell, deal or share a psychoactive substance (also called supplying them).

carry a psychoactive substance and you intend to supply it.

Psychoactive substances include things like nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas’). *The government can ban new drugs for 1 year under a ‘temporary banning order’ while they decide how the drugs should be classified. None, but police can take away a suspected temporary class drug Some methylphenidate substances (ethylphenidate, 3,4-dichloromethylphenidate (3,4-DCMP), methylnaphthidate (HDMP-28), isopropylphenidate (IPP or IPPD), 4-methylmethylphenidate, ethylnaphthidate, propylphenidate) and their simple derivatives Up to 2 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both (except anabolic steroids - it’s not an offence to possess them for personal use) Up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or bothĪnabolic steroids, benzodiazepines (diazepam), gamma hydroxybutyrate ( GHB), gamma-butyrolactone ( GBL), piperazines ( BZP), khat Up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both Up to life in prison, an unlimited fine or bothĪmphetamines, barbiturates, cannabis, codeine, ketamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones (for example mephedrone, methoxetamine) Up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both The maximum penalties for drug possession, supply (selling, dealing or sharing) and production depend on what type or ‘class’ the drug is.Ĭrack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy ( MDMA), heroin, LSD, magic mushrooms, methadone, methamphetamine (crystal meth) The penalties depend on the type of drug or substance, the amount you have, and whether you’re also dealing or producing it.

sell, deal or share drugs (also called ‘supplying’ them).

Stimulants can be fatal, especially when taken in large doses or when mixed with other substances.You can get a fine or prison sentence if you: This can result in increased dependence and addiction. Often, chronic stimulant abusers will try to compensate for diminishing highs by taking more and more stimulants to experience the same initial pleasure. Snorting or swallowing stimulants produces a high that is less intense but longer lasting. Injected or smoked stimulants reach the brain faster and therefore produce the most intense highs. Stimulant drugs can be swallowed in pill form, snorted as a powder, injected with a needle or syringe, or heated into crystal form and smoked. Stimulants are abused in several ways, depending on the type. Over-the-counter and prescription stimulantsĭextroamphetamine (used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD) Illegally sold or manufactured amphetamines Methamphetamines (an amphetamine that is usually smoked)

Types of stimulants Illicit stimulants (street drugs) Over time, stimulant drug abuse disrupts the functioning of the brain’s dopamine system and eventually dampens the user's ability to feel any pleasure at all. A healthcare provider may prescribe a stimulant drug to treat narcolepsy, promote weight loss, or treat ADHD and clinical depression. Note that amphetamines, a common stimulant drug, are prescribed and produced, and sold illegally. Stimulants are widely used as both recreational and prescription drugs. Examples of stimulant drugs include cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, nicotine and ecstasy. Stimulant drugs are a class of psychoactive drug that provides temporary improvements in physical or mental functioning, thus elevating mood and increasing feelings of wellbeing, energy and alertness.

Amphetamine types