Scientist In Drug Classification Controversy Talks In Derby
13 December 2011
This talk will be a fantastic opportunity for the public to come and hear more about the issue
”Professor James Elander.Head of Centre for Psychological Research at the University of Derby.
Outspoken scientist Professor David Nutt, who was the Government's top drugs adviser until he criticised its policy on drug and alcohol classification, is giving a free public talk on the controversy at the University of Derby on Wednesday January 11.
Professor Nutt's talk, titled 'Scientists in the firing line - can we bring reason to government policy on alcohol and other drugs?'- will take place at 6.30pm in the Lecture Theatre at the University's Kedleston Road Site.
While Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) from 2008- 2009 the psychiatrist and pharmacologist, who is now Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, advised the Government on its official drugs policy. His duties included making recommendations to ministers on how to classify banned drugs, based on scientific evidence of the harm they can cause.
In January 2009, the Professor published an article debating how society assesses various risks and claimed the risks of horse riding and other activities could be equal or more in society than the risks of ecstasy use.
The article sparked fury from anti-drugs campaigners and ministers, who accused him of going on a personal crusade to downgrade illegal drugs.
Professor Nutt defended his stance in a paper for the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) at King's College London, which included a chart of drugs and other substances, based on their risk to health. The chart stated that alcohol and tobacco were more harmful within society than many illegal drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and cannabis.
In reaction to the paper, the then Home Secretary, Mr Alan Johnson, said that Professor Nutt had gone beyond his remit, undermining the Government's attempts to provide clear messages on drugs, and sacked him.
Following his sacking, Professor Nutt established the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD). The Committee investigates and reviews the scientific evidence relating to drugs to promote widespread informed public understanding; promoting effective policies and practice in the UK, and internationally.
More information on the Committee's work can be found at www.drugscience.org.uk.
Head of Centre for Psychological Research at the University of Derby, Professor James Elander, said: "The furore around Professor Nutt's sacking proved how contentious the subject of drug classification is. This talk will be a fantastic opportunity for the public to come and hear more about the issue."
To book a free place on the talk on Wednesday January 11 at 6.30pm at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road Site visit website www.derby.ac.uk/nutt or call 01332 591046.
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
