The first chapter reviews British history of the development of drug controls, followed by a chapter that explains laws pertinent to the unlawful possession of controlled drugs. The next chapter presents case studies and special circumstances regarding the unlawful possession of controlled drugs. Controls over the supply, production, and movement of controlled drugs are explained in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 focuses on inchoate offenses and offenses against corresponding foreign law. Laws designed to counter drug smuggling and drug trafficking are discussed in two other chapters. Remaining chapters consider the powers of the police and ordinary citizens regarding drug offenses, penalties for drug offenses, and the characteristics of the most commonly abused drugs. This fourth edition includes changes under SI 1996/1300 and SI 1996/1597, which collectively place 54 substances under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. These substances are anabolic and androgenic steroids numbering 48 in all, plus 6 other substances that generally have an anabolic effect by way of muscle increase and are largely growth hormones. Also included are six new substances that were added to the list of controlled drugs in spring 1998, as well as the re- scheduling of Flunitrazepam from Schedule 4 (Part II) to Schedule 3. In addition, the provisions of the Public Entertainments Licenses (Drug Misuse) Act 1997 are mentioned as part of the previous and present government strategies in combating drug misuse, as well as new police powers to stop and search under the revised Codes of Practice. This edition also includes coverage of SI 1997/1001 (The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1997, and Part I of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, which creates minimum sentences for repeat Class A drug traffickers. Finally, the contents of the Criminal Justice Act 1998 are included. 12 figures