Pubdate: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 Source: Sun, The (UK) Copyright: News Group Newspapers Ltd, 2007 Contact: http://www.the-sun.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/433 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom) LET-OFF FOR CHILDREN ON DOPE KIDS caught smoking cannabis will no longer be arrested under new guidelines for police. Instead officers have been told to deal with under-18s in "less intrusive" ways, such as escorting them home. A new drug policy was quietly issued to cops last week at the height of the Big Brother race row. Any who do arrest children will have to justify their actions, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers' document. Only children under ten caught using the drug will be considered "at risk" and referred to child protection officers. Adults found with a small amount of dope now face a "three strikes and you're out" policy. They will get two "cannabis warnings" before being arrested. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007030570,00.html - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake