Drugs Act 2005
| Long title | An Act to make provision in connection with controlled drugs and for the making of orders to supplement anti-social behaviour orders in cases where behaviour is affected by drug misuse or other prescribed factors. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2005 c 17 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales, except that so far as it amends or repeals any enactment, this Act has the same extent as the enactment amended or repealed.[2] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 7 April 2005 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Drugs Act 2005 (c 17) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom relating to drugs offences.
Provisions
Under the Act, people caught with a certain quantity of drugs are automatically presumed to be supplying, rather than the lesser charge of possession.[3]
The Act allows first-time offenders testing positive for drugs to be obliged to attend a mandatory drug assessment specialist workers and receive help into treatment even if not charged.[4][5]
Under the Act, all adults arrested for 'trigger' crimes, including robbery, burglary and prostitution, which could have been committed to buy drugs, are be tested for narcotics.[6]
Those who test positive for a Class A drug may be required to take part in an assessment and also a follow-up assessment.[7]
Section 24 - Short title, commencement and extent
The following orders have been made under section 24(3):
- The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1650 (C. 68))[8]
- The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2223 (C. 93))[9]
- The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3053 (C. 128))[10]
- The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2136 (C. 71))[11]
- The Drugs Act 2005 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2007] (S.I. 2007/562 (C. 23))[12]
References
- "Drugs Act 2005". Halsbury's Statutes of England and Wales. Fourth Edition. 2008 Reissue. Volume 12(4). Pages 209 to 225.
- Current Law Statutes Annotated 2005
- ^ The citation of this Act by this short title is authorised by section 24(1) of this Act.
- ^ The Drugs Act 2005, sections 24(6) and (7)
- ^ Wilkins, Lucy (14 October 2005). "Line between possession and supply". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 June 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Compulsory tests for drug misusing offenders". Community Care. 30 November 2005. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Sergeant spearheads instant drug testing". Manchester Evening News. 18 January 2013 [2013-01-12]. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ "Police chief calls for debate over drugs legalisation". Oxford Mail. 25 February 2006. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Edwards, Anthony (3 August 2007). "Criminal law". Law Society Gazette. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Digitised copy
- ^ Digitised copy
- ^ Digitised copy
- ^ Digitised copy
- ^ Digitised copy
External links
- The Drugs Act 2005, as amended from the National Archives.
- The Drugs Act 2005, as originally enacted from the National Archives.
- Explanatory notes to the Drugs Act 2005.