Dorset PCC calls for cannabis to be reclassified as a Class A drug
Officers say there's been a rise in the drug being smoked on the streets in Dorset
Dorset Police insist they are stepping up efforts to tackle drugs, including the use of cannabis.
It follows concern about the amount being smoked in the street in Dorset.
Officers are now going into schools alongside health staff to highlight the dangers.
Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Richard Bell said:
"We are going into schools with our safer schools team to educate children at a young age about the damage and the harm drink and drugs can do and about the law, the legislation around this behaviour.
"It is incredibly damaging to mental health as well as physical health, so I would advise anybody who thinks it is a low-level drug to think again and look at some of the medical facts behind it.
"The behaviour is also anti-social, it's intimidatory and unnecessary and policing will look to intervene and deal with those individuals to not only divert them away from drugs but to deal with that anti-social behaviour."
Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick wants to go one step further.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham yesterday, Mr Sidwick called for cannabis to be reclassified to a class A drug, like heroine and cocaine.
"We are going to make certain this gets better, its a long, hard, haul but we are going to address it.
"For years there has been this coolness around it, this sly wink around our, it's only a bit of pot it's only a bit of weed, well that bit of weed and pot will cause you immense difficulties in your life, down the line."
If you would like to talk to your children about drugs you can find more information from the Talk To Frank website.