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More scientists could resign over drugs row
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent10 Nov 2009
Alan Johnson was today facing more resignations in the growing row between the Government and their drugs advisers.
The Home Secretary is meeting with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for the first time since his sacking of chairman Professor David Nutt.
The scientist from Imperial College London was sacked last month after claiming alcohol was more harmful than cannabis. His dismissal sparked outrage, with two council members quitting in protest at Mr Johnson's decision.
Sources close to the ACMD said more resignations among its 28 remaining members were likely.
One insider said: "There are those who might resign if Dr Nutt is not reinstated. And there's the issue of maintaining the independence (of the council). If they don't get the assurances they're going to be taken seriously... they need to feel that. But there are also those who feel they need to stay and fight."
Reader views (3)
All NuLiebour want is nodding "yes men" to agree unquestionably to every scatterbrain idea floated by the faceless wombles in Whitehall.
Democracy in the EUSSR is stone dead.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 11/11/2009 09:35
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So it looks while Prof Nutt is totally vindicated….(I.E.above statistics) Alan Johnson has shot himself in the foot !. Ouch! Hop! ouch! hop! ouch! hop……NUMPTY
The OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS (UK)….actually its a pretty interesting site and the 2007 report has listed the number of drug related deaths recorded in coroners reports for England and Wales
Tobacco 86,500
Alcohol 6,627
Heroin 842
PARACETAMOL 446
All anti-depressants 401
Methadone 223
Cocaine (including crack) 176
Amphetamine 103
MDMA/Ecstasy 58
ASPIRIN 14
And, wait for it….
Cannabis 0
(but, it was recorded that in 19 of the deaths that were related to alcohol or heroin the person had taken cannabis too.)
Obviously, when reclassifying cannabis as a B class controlled substance, next January, the Home Secretary will need to consider classifying paracetamol and aspirin as well
It looks while Prof Nutt is totally vindicated, Alan Johnson has shot himself in the foot !. Ouch! Hop! NUMPTY
- Frank, Bristol UK, 10/11/2009 21:05
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Unless the government hear what they want to hear; 'drugs are bad', then the scientists are wasting their time. State the truth & they lose their jobs. What is the point of having advisors if the government are not going to listen to what they have to say.
- Dom, london, 10/11/2009 12:24
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