DAVID NUTT’S DANGEROUS ATTITUDE TO DRUGS.

To The Editor, New Scientist, 84 Theobald’s Road, LONDON, WC1X  8NS. 08/11/2009

DAVID NUTT’S DANGEROUS ATTITUDE TO DRUGS.

I am over eighty years old. The reason why I am still alive and able to write this letter is that when I was a teenager I decided that I would never take any substance that would harm my brain. I do not drink alcohol or take so called “recreational” drugs. I call them dangerous anti social drugs. Thank goodness that I have adhered to that policy all my life.

I think that those who control the New Scientist were wrong to allow David Nutt to spread his subversive and evil propaganda by allowing him to write the Guest Editorial in the 7th. November 2009 issue of NS. This blunder was comparable to the time when NS distorted and belittled the views of Charles Darwin.

I have yet to read a scientific statement on the subject of drugs by Nutt. All his comments are sound bites which are anything but scientific.

There are criminals who target school children to sell them ecstasy, cannabis and other dangerous drugs knowing full well that children are not mature enough to know the damage which these drugs have on their brain. By trying to decriminalise these drugs Nutt and NS are helping these despicable criminals.

I agree with Nutt that alcohol has similar detrimental effects to cannabis. In Scotland binge drinking is now a major social problem causing deaths, violence, family disruption, brain damage, etc. Those who are trying to decriminalise cannabis will increase its use and accelerate the damage which will be even worse than the detrimental effects of alcohol. The long term effects could contribute to the destruction of the human race.

Anyone who takes drugs for short term “pleasure” are either stupid or misguided or both. Drugs should only be administered by medical doctors who have a responsibility to tell the patient all the possible side effects of the proposed drugs. This has to be strictly regulated because drug companies have a vested interest in maximising profits from the sale of the drugs they manufacture. The only way to protect juveniles and misguided or unintelligent adults is to make it illegal for drugs to be sold or used for non medical purposes. That is why cannabis, etc. should not be decriminalised.  The punishments for those who do not obey this legislation by selling these drugs should be very severe. Some countries use the death penalty. I do not support the use of the death penalty but I do support long terms of imprisonment and the removal of all their wealth and the wealth of their spouse from those who are such a serious threat to the human race.

The punishment for those who are caught with possession of these drugs should be less severe but they should reflect the severity of the consequences of using these drugs. Hence, it should remain a criminal offence to have possession of these drugs.

Is it possible that Nutt has ulterior motives for his campaign to decriminalise cannabis? Is he a Tory wanting to make things as difficult as possible for the Labour Government? Has he got children and friends who he does not want to be saddled with a criminal record? Does he himself enjoy taking these drugs?

If you do not publish this letter in full those who control NS will be helping despicable and unscrupulous criminals to profit from what is a terrible threat to our society.