Drugs adviser says sorry over ecstasy article

[drhemp]

No no, you mustn't speak your mind or tell the truth. Now say sorry and agree with Jacqui Smith ...


URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n160/a02.html
Newshawk: JimmyG
Rate this article Votes: 0
Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009
Source: Guardian, The (UK)
Copyright: 2009 Guardian News and Media Limited
Contact: letters@guardian.co.uk
Website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175
Author: Alan Travis

DRUGS ADVISER SAYS SORRY OVER ECSTASY ARTICLE

The government's drugs adviser last night apologised for saying that the risk in taking ecstasy was no worse than in riding a horse. Home secretary Jacqui Smith had yesterday carpeted Dr David Nutt over comments that emerged 48 hours before his committee was expected to recommend downgrading the drug.

She demanded an apology and told the professor that his comments went beyond the scientific advice she expected from him. "I've spoken to him. I've told him that I was surprised and profoundly disappointed," Smith told MPs yesterday. She said they made light of a serious problem, trivialised the dangers of drugs, showed insensitivity to the families of victims, and sent the wrong message to young people.

Smith's attack on Nutt, the new chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, comes when this week it will publish a report expected to recommend downgrading ecstasy from class A to class B. Smith has made clear she will veto the council's view as she rejected its advice last year not to reclassify cannabis.

Lib Dem MP Evan Harris complained to the Speaker at Smith's attack, describing Nutt as a "distinguished scientist" unable to answer back in parliament for what was set out in a scientific publication. His article in the Journal of Psychopharmacology was written before he became chairman, but picked up in the weekend press.

Ecstasy is the UK's third most popular illicit drug with an estimated 470,000 people using it last year, including 5% of 16- to 24-year-olds. Last night, Nutt apologised saying he had "no intention of trivialising the dangers of ecstasy".

"I am sorry to those who may have been offended by my article. I would like to apologise to those who have lost friends and family due to ecstasy use," he said.

The article, "Equasy", [sic] ironically argued "equine addiction syndrome" accounted for 100 deaths a year, as against 30 a year for ecstasy use.

[lightgiver]

hi hempy,

they just want everyone pissed out of their brains unable to think for themselves,as most piss heads do,;)

# 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
# 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
# 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
# 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol.
# 60% of all homicides are attributed to alcohol.

Alcohol-related death rates have almost doubled since 1991 in the UK, government statistics show.


I do not see that many deaths from any other drug,even the hardcore ones, a bit ironic coming from jacqui the lackey.

Its BOOZE that they need to ban.

I wonder how many cannabis deaths(none),or even ecstasy deaths?

While the number of deaths related directly to ecstasy use is relatively low (only a handful have been reported in Great Britain and the United States), the side effects of the drug include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and dangerously high body temperatures.

Alcohol Statistics. More than 100000 U.S. deaths are caused by excessive alcohol consumption each year. Direct and indirect causes of death ..

27 Jan 2009 ... The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there were 8724 alcohol-related deaths in 2007, with the death rate highest among older men.
well what a surprise.

[hunter77]

hi hempy,

they just want everyone pissed out of their brains unable to think for themselves,as most piss heads do,;)

# 5% of all deaths from diseases of the circulatory system are attributed to alcohol.
# 15% of all deaths from diseases of the respiratory system are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all deaths from accidents caused by fire and flames are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all accidental drownings are attributed to alcohol.
# 30% of all suicides are attributed to alcohol.
# 40% of all deaths due to accidental falls are attributed to alcohol.
# 45% of all deaths in automobile accidents are attributed to alcohol.
# 60% of all homicides are attributed to alcohol.

Alcohol-related death rates have almost doubled since 1991 in the UK, government statistics show.


I do not see that many deaths from any other drug,even the hardcore ones, a bit ironic coming from jacqui the lackey.

Its BOOZE that they need to ban.

I wonder how many cannabis deaths(none),or even ecstasy deaths?

While the number of deaths related directly to ecstasy use is relatively low (only a handful have been reported in Great Britain and the United States), the side effects of the drug include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and dangerously high body temperatures.

stop abusing alchohol!!! everything in moderation.
100% of statistics are made up:)

[thorleyart]

Alcohol kills more people each year than all those untaxed drugs combined

[drhemp]

h
Its BOOZE that they need to ban.


I don't think alcohol should be banned, as I don't need a Nazi bitch like Jacqui Smith to tell me what I can and cannot put into my body, however, you are right to highlight the absurdities that one can legally buy or supply alcohol, whereas with MDMA, which is less dangerous, a long prison sentence can be handed out by the State.

[belial]

Jack-Boot-Bitch Smith is going to succumb to Karma soon...

... and she'll need more than her 'army' 'the Police' to protect her too.

Advertising the location of her 2 homes using the MSM has left this idiot wide open to retribution.

She is pure evil. :mad:

[meksar]

She is a Eastern Star whore who engages in ritualized sexual beatings/orgies and many more acts of dehumanization behind closed doors.

[brainfreeze]

She is a Eastern Star whore who engages in ritualized sexual beatings/orgies and many more acts of dehumanization behind closed doors.


And if you can give us proof of this the prostitutes and punters of the UK will be rejoicing.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like the woman, but your accusation is outragous!

[meksar]

Does she have empathy?, i don't think so this is the easiest way to make woman conform by putting them through sexual traumas to manipulate their emotional response to these pathetic decisions they make on behalf of the evilarchy.

[lightgiver]

I don't think alcohol should be banned, as I don't need a Nazi bitch like Jacqui Smith to tell me what I can and cannot put into my body, however, you are right to highlight the absurdities that one can legally buy or supply alcohol, whereas with MDMA, which is less dangerous, a long prison sentence can be handed out by the State.

if you had a choice though between alcohol and hemp,which would it be and why?:) not interested in jacqui the lackey,politicians are impermanent to be replaced by another one.

[lightgiver]

stop abusing alchohol!!! everything in moderation.
100% of statistics are made up:)

tell that to all the alcoholics and the ones needing new livers because of crap alcohol laws,the statement is why cannabis is illegal and the worst drug(alcohol) on the planet is legal,come off your high horse and try and be a little more polite.:) no offence btw,i sometimes have to come off my high horse now and then pardon the pun;)

Not everything is made up ya know,i know lots of alcoholics,and have nursed them.

[free_soul]

It is my god given right as a human being to consume whatever the fuck i want.

If you dont like it then as catheryn tate says,

"AM i Boverd"

:rolleyes:

[lightgiver]

It is my god given right as a human being to consume whatever the fuck i want.

If you dont like it then as catheryn tate says,

"AM i Boverd"

:rolleyes:

Agreed as long as it does not infringe on others ;)

And the trouble with silly programmes like the tit tate show no wonder Britain is going to the dogs,and when T blair gets in on the act,then you know we are doomed and in trouble:rolleyes::p:D

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/817/pademoneyesne6.gif (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pademoneyesne6.gif)

and it should say Are we Bothered.Not Chaf dumbed down language.:mad:

[deca]

abuse any substance and it will be bad for you
is it the product or the user ?


you can`t blame the user if they have been lied to?

common purpose ? what happen common sense?

[jojo]

The article, "Equasy", [sic] ironically argued "equine addiction syndrome" accounted for 100 deaths a year, as against 30 a year for ecstasy use.

equine addicted syndrome, thats what i have!!!!

seriously though, how fucking perverted and obvious is that propagander. ha! laughable if not so fucking tragic...

to right though, you are not allowed to give your scientific reasoned opinion if it differs from government policy.

[free_soul]

abuse any substance and it will be bad for you
is it the product or the user ?


you can`t blame the user if they have been lied to?

common purpose ? what happen common sense?

Yes abuse is bad, i had suffered adly from abusing drugs in the past, now i have learnt to chill out and use rather than ause =]

If anything we need to educate people on how to safely use drugs.

This goes back to the old, tell a child not to do something and they go right out and do it purly to spite you.

If we say yes you can do this however watch what your doing and be carefull (obviously not that pussy footed), There is a link between death/mental llness and drugs however only in those who allow it to take there lives, not to people who like the odd pill or a smoke after work.

[drhemp]

if you had a choice though between alcohol and hemp,which would it be and why?:) not interested in jacqui the lackey,politicians are impermanent to be replaced by another one.

I like both. They go together nicely too ...

politicians suck; yeah I'll drink to that!

[deca]

just a laugh, but nice;)