Article Tools

True to form, the UK Labour government have wiped out any trace of truth, sacking the scientist they employed to research the dangers of drugs, simply for providing scientific evidence contradicting their own drug policy. A bleak day for science and politics…

UK home secretary, Alan Johnson, sensationally sacked Professor Nutt, chairman of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College, London, and head of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Bristol University, from his post as chief drug adviser to the government, just one day after he released a research paper, based on scientific evidence, proving a number of popular illegal drugs are less harmful than both alcohol and cigarettes. The paper directly contradicts and openly criticises Labour’s current “Just say NO” drug policy – particularly their bizarre claim smoking cannabis is “lethal”. It seems this government will stop at nothing to exert control and limit personal freedom, including ignoring scientific evidence detrimental to the health and safety of the UK population.

Read more in Europe
« Scientific Research Proves Alcohol and Cigarettes More Dangerous Than Cannabis, Lsd or Ecstasy
Sheep Tries to Eat Dog »

Source

Professor Nutt called for the implementation if an “index of harm,” (which you can see HERE) providing accurate information regarding the dangers of both illegal and legal drugs, and accused the government of covering up the facts and misleading the public. (You can read the full story HERE). However, the government reacted quickly to prevent any disclosure of truth – backed up by scientific evidence gathered by an academic clearly considered by them to be the best man for the job when they initially employed him – by immediately demanding he resign from his position.

The following statement was released by a Home Office Spokesperson: “The home secretary has asked Professor Nutt to resign as chair of the ACMD [Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs]. In a letter he [Alan Johnson] expressed surprise and disappointment over Professor Nutt’s comments which damage efforts to give the public clear messages about the dangers of drugs. We remain determined to crack down on all illegal substances and minimise their harm to health and society as a whole.” Source

Richard Garside, director of the centre for crime and justice, who supported Nutt’s briefing paper – based in fact rather than upon moral stance – said: “I’m shocked and dismayed that the home secretary appears to believe that political calculation trumps honest and informed scientific opinion. The message is that when it comes to the Home Office’s relationship with the research community honest researchers should be seen but not heard. The home secretary’s action is a bad day for science and a bad day for the cause of evidence-informed policy making.” Source

Professor Nutt is said to be disappointed by the reaction, but is clear about the reasons for his dismissal. He yesterday released the following statement: “It’s unusual political times, I suppose, elections and all that. It’s disappointing. But politics is politics and science is science and there’s a bit of a tension between them sometimes.” Source

When later questioned on live television by the BBC, Professor Nutt said “It is a very bleak day for science… In many days it’s a worse day for Politics.” He also said his colleagues – who worked freely for thousands of hours – are “upset” about his dismissal, and claims the situation will “undermine confidence” in this type of position within the scientific community.

Clearly, those in power care more about the results of impending election than they do for truth and honour, science, and the even health and safety of the entire population of the UK.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

Scientific Research Proves Alcohol and Cigarettes are More Dangerous Than Cannabis, LSD or Ecstacy

Why Line The Pockets of Dealers When There’s a Legal Alternative to Cannabis