Drugs and minors
Question
Is it illegal to give drugs to a 17-year old, even if no money changed hands?
Answer
Understanding drugs and the law can be a tricky business. The Misuse of Drugs Act sets out the laws that control drug use and defines penalties according to drug classification. Those related to Class A drugs are generally the most severe but the law can get complicated because some drugs are covered by other laws or are not covered at all, and others are treated with exceptions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It's not unusual to be unsure about what is, or is not, legal when it comes to drugs.
It seems that your question is mainly about whether providing drugs is dealing or not. Since possession of drugs is against the law, you are already engaging in illegal activity whether money changes hands or not. Drug laws are enforced, so the best option is to avoid the situation altogether.
If you have further concerns, you might want to contact Release. They provide information, advocacy and advice for people with concerns about drugs and the law. You can call them in confidence on 0845 4500 215 so you could have an in-depth chat with someone about your specific situation.
Updated: 12/04/2010
Question answered by Addaction
