Dont take drugs you mad old trout.

In recent years - the judiciary, legislature and executive have made a conspicuous and conscious effort to punish those dealing, taking or exploring the damaging world of illicit narcotics.

Recognising the socio-economic devastation these nasty little synthetic bi-products have upon our otherwise flawless communities, it comes as no surprise that if you examine custodial sentences over the last 20 years, I'd imagine that length and severity have increased at an alarming rate.

Although that is just my speculation. I could be talking utter bollocks.

As with many facets of life, (and as demonstrated to your immediate left) this potentially visible change in ideology emerged from a greater clinical awareness of the holistic impact various substances have upon our physical, emotional and mental well-being.

But yes. Trials and examinations conducted within controlled environments by scientists sporting multi-coloured lab coats tripping their tits off substantiate the claim that drugs are potentially the devils work and should thus be studied in greater detail to increase their awareness of these chemical concoctions.

Its a tough job.

Tougher sentences accompanied by frequent spot fines result in more drugs being either incinerated, smoked by lab rats or more evidently sold on the black market by the local bobby to cover greater pressure to the prison system and the escalating cost of ministerial banquets where drug policies can be discussed in complex detail.

God bless their commitment.

So it was with raised eyebrow I noted this,

"A DRUG dealer had his sentence slashed because his £9,000 stash of speed was second-rate.
Peter Walters was jailed in November after being caught trying to sell almost 2kg of Class B drug amphetamine.

"The 57-year-old........was jailed for four-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting a string of drugs offences.
But his sentence was reduced by a third to three years at London’s Court of Appeal after judges heard the pills were just 4% purity."

As discussed, if we concede that drugs and their useage is a very emotive topic , then this article offers a bargaining chip if and when we ever find ourselves in the dock.

For instance, if I am disturbed by another door step canvasser seeking funds for an unheard and unregistered charity - and I decide it appropriate to attempt to sever their head with a poor and evidently cheaply imitated 'stop bullying' badge - what would be the outcome.

If I am unsuccessful in full decapitation due to the bad craftsmanship of the metallic pin-on will this then reduce my sentence from attempted murder to 'causing a minor disturbance'.

Its a thought I suppose.