David Nutt Calls for Change in UK Illegal Substances Handling November 8
According to Nutt, the recently fired former chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, there are several changes that need to be made to the UK system. He feels that scientists should have a much freer hand in determining just how risky illegal drugs really are for one. Currently such decisions are made based on the decisions of the council’s minister regardless of the determinations they ask for from scientific advisors like David Nutt. According to Nutt the council should be required to report to government rather than the decisions of a single minister to be truly fair and make a real impact on the UK’s current drug problem.
The removal of Nutt and the resignation of two other advisors as a result has set the council back on making headway with the problem with that council currently left inquorate. Work has already been delayed on such substances as Spice (a synthetic marijuana) and BZP ( a substance that acts like amphetamines). Research has also been delayed in the anesthetic ketamine, misuse of steroids and growth hormones. The three positions which have been vacated must be filled before the council can call a meeting to discuss policy.
According to Nutt, Alan Jackson fired him without consulting with either the government’s chief science advisor or the science minister has caused upheaval in the council and could cause more resignation in time.
Tags: classification, council, david nutt, drug advisors, drug policy, uk