Professor David Nutt was sacked as the government's chief drug advisor in October last year. He claimed that class A drugs LSD and Ecstasy were less dangerous than alcohol.
Last month, Nutt once again spoke up about his views on drugs, joining the debate about the legal high Mephedrone. The professor argues that there is very little evidence that Mephedrone is harmful because it is a new legal drug and therefore its long term effects have not been measured.
Last month, Nutt once again spoke up about his views on drugs, joining the debate about the legal high Mephedrone. The professor argues that there is very little evidence that Mephedrone is harmful because it is a new legal drug and therefore its long term effects have not been measured.
In November, I spoke to students at Bournemouth University, who were the latest to give their voice to the drug row, and the lowering of class A and B drugs.
Demetrius, 24, is a business student at the University who has seen first hand the effects of cannabis and what exactly goes into making up the drug. "The quality of drugs right now is so bad. The dealers are using only 30% of the actual drug and mixing it with so much rubbish."
The substances used to bulk up drugs in order to sell more and make a profit include sand and glass. The scientific evidence may suggest that cannabis is less harmful than cigarettes or alcohol, but this does not take into account what is being mixed into these drugs by dealers.
Demetrius also argued that less informed, younger people, are now being given the idea that drugs aren't bad, "that's really dangerous. These kids have no idea what they are getting into."
Lecturer Michael James also commented on the issue, "you have to put things into context. These scientists are studying drugs at scientific level. They are not considering the social impact. Drugs are so unpredictable, you take one tablet of Ecstacy and immediately you could be in serious danger, whereas alcohol takes a while to affect you."
If David Nutt is right and drug classes should be lowered for cannabis and Ecstacy, should this not mean that cigarettes and alcohol should also be classed and made illegal? Demetrius doesn't think so. "Cigarettes and alcohol are the main income for some third world countries. If you make them illegal you are cutting off a massive income for people and putting their lives at risk." It seems this debate is far from over.
