Sacked: Drug tsar who claimed Ecstasy, cannabis and LSD are less harmful than alcohol

Daily Mail ^ | October 31, 2009 (UK) | James Slack

[bogusname]

A chief drugs tsar was sacked last night for claiming cannabis, Ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes. Professor David Nutt was fired after Home Secretary Alan Johnson decided he had 'no confidence' in him following his controversial remarks...

[bogusname]

I didn't think that made much sense.

[Kartographer]

He needs to come to America ‘Zero’ would find a place on his cabinet for him I am sure!

[bogusname]

LOL Yes, he’d fit right in with the Obama administration.

[GeronL]

A lot of freepers are going to agree... okay scare quotes around “lot”

[Red Steel]

Well he is a Nutt

[I see my hands]

"A lot of freepers are going to agree"

I guess, then, you disagree. How do you rank the four drugs mentioned and on what authority?

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

“Most controversially, Professor Nutt said all drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, should be ranked by a ‘harm’ index - with drinking coming fifth behind cocaine, heroin, barbiturates, and methadone.”

IMHO, that ranking sounds about right.

[bogusname]

Hmm, I think that sounds reasonable too.

[GeronL]

I don’t rank them anything but bad for me, bad for me, bad for me, and bad for me although.....

[nickcarraway]

Well, MDMA (ecstasy)may stay in your body for a long time, if not forever. Alcohol stays in your body for a very short time. There are also a lot of indications that it is neurotoxic. And it may cause Parkinson’s later in life. Sure, scientists don’t know everything about it, but do you want to take a chance?

[I see my hands]

"do you want to take a chance?"

Not really but I still fly, for example.

[RacerX1128]

I’ve never heard or had a hangover from cannabis.....but, then again, what was the question?

[bogusname]

LOL, sorry like I missed that man..I was taking a hit from my bong.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Professor David “Nutt”? For real?

I’d side with him on pot, but the other two things are flirting with the kind of permanent trouble that is very difficult to get from one bottle of wine.

[xp38]

Czar, csar, tzar, or tsar?

[bogusname]

I agree. Even the Bible recommends drinking wine at certain times for your health. I don’t think dropping acid has ever done anyone any good. LOL

[bogusname]

The English use colour for color and honour for honor. I dunno. I guess they invented the language so us Americans just have to accept they’re right. LOL

[The Citizen Soldier]

Professor Nutt ...in the library ...with a joint clip.

[HiTech RedNeck]

At one time in recent antiquity (how’s that for an oxymoron) acid was being used as a facilitator in insight-based psychotherapy. It prolly messed up at least as many minds as it helped clarify.

[bogusname]

It didn’t do much for Leary, that’s for sure.