Pubdate: Thu, 16 Dec 2004
Source: Whitehaven News (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Whitehaven News
Contact:  http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3524
Author: Jon Colman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

ECSTASY 'CHEAPER IN TOWN THAN ALCOHOL'

THE danger drug ecstasy is now cheaper to buy in Whitehaven than many 
alcoholic drinks, a shocked court has heard.

The street value of the Class A drug has plummeted to an EIGHTH of its 
value from a year ago.

The revelation was made during the outline of a case involving Whitehaven 
man John Carr on Tuesday.

Carr, of Devon Road, admitted possessing 17 ecstasy tablets, which 
prosecutor Cath McClenan said were worth no more than #34.

Carr's solicitor Val Hendren said: "It surprised me to learn just how cheap 
ecstasy is. As recently as 12 months ago, it was selling for UKP15 to 
UKP16. Now they are UKP2 a tablet.

"In many clubs, that makes them cheaper than alcohol.

"As far as young people are concerned, this is a very worrying trend."

Carr, 23, was fined UKP180 with UKP43 costs after also admitting the 
possession of cannabis resin. He asked for another offence -- the 
cultivation of a cannabis plant -- to be taken into consideration. He 
insisted all the drugs were for his own use.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl