People who use cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine could have their passports and driving licences taken away, and be banned from nightclubs and other venues, under new Government rules. The Home Office is considering new laws around recreational drug use - including making users pay for drug awareness courses and wear tags.
Those who refuse to pay or attend the courses could be banned from driving or going on holiday abroad, reports iNews. There would be a 'three-strike' rule in England and Wales under the proposed changes - which would include a ban on going to nightclubs and other venues.
Strike one would see anyone caught with illegal drugs made to pay for an awareness course - failure to comply would mean extra fines or prosecution. Anyone caught a second time could face mandatory random drug testing for up to three months.
Being caught a third time would see you charged and prosecuted - with a ban on going to nightclubs and entertainment venues, as well as the risk of losing your licence and passport.
Current rules for dealing with drug users include unlimited fines and up to seven years in prison. The new white paper Swift, Certain, Tough. New Consequences for Drug Possession, also proposes drug users be made to wear tags.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Drug misuse puts lives at risk, fuels criminality and serious and violent crime, and also results in the grotesque exploitation of young, vulnerable people.
“We are cracking down on drug use with tougher consequences for so-called recreational drug users who will face the consequences of their actions through sanctions, including fines and conditions to attend rehabilitation courses, while drug offenders could have their passports and driving licences confiscated.
“In line with our strategy to tackle the harmful consequences of drugs, we aim to reverse the rising trend of substance use in society to protect the public from the harm and violence of drug misuse.”
The proposals will be discussed for the next 12 weeks and could then be passed into law.
