Home Secretary David Blunkett's plan to downgrade cannabis to a class C drug has met with a mixed reception. LUCY BRINICOMBE takes a look at the situation ...

THE Government's decision to reclassify cannabis has been warmly received by most organisations in north Kent.

Despite its health implications, drugs organisations, the police and Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate have received the news in a positive light.

The announcement by Home Secretary David Blunkett to downgrade cannabis from a class B to a class C drug means it will be in the same category as anabolic steroids and tranquillisers.

Possessing a small amount will no longer be an offence.

This will boost efforts by the police to tackle hard drugs in class A, including heroin, cocaine and Ecstasy.

Dr Stoate says the change does not mean cannabis is being decriminalised but will give priority to challenging hard drugs.

He said: "It means we can crack down on dealers and users of hard drugs, which are the ones causing the most damage to individuals and society."

The GP, who practices in Bexleyheath, added cannabis damages health but hopes further awareness and educational programmes will prevent young people from experimenting with the drug.

With 60 per cent of crime being committed to feed a class A drug habit, the re-classification supports north Kent police's focus against class A drugs and drug- related crime.

A police spokesman said: "Crimes directly linked to drugs make up a small proportion of crime in the north Kent area."

However, he added the north Kent force has to tackle drug-related crimes by users who visit the area to steal and feed their class A drug habits.

Service manager Karen Tyrell of Kent Council on Addiction (KCA) agreed with this viewpoint.

She said: "Police can spend more time looking at the potentially more damaging drugs in class A."

Speaking from the KCA's Gravesend office, in Parrock Street, she said reclassification is a "sensible" move but warned cannabis can have psychological affects and be addictive to some users.

However, she added the Government was not saying cannabis was safe and pointed out alcohol and tobacco are dangerous but legal.

l The KCA office in Gravesend provides information and a free counselling service for people suffering with all forms of addiction and their families. The phone line is open 9am to 5pm on 01474 565581.

July 16, 2002 12:00