Drug Classification: Making a Hash of It?; Fifth Report of Session 2005-06; Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written EvidenceThe Stationery Office, 2006 M07 31 - 177 pages This is the second of three case studies under the Committee's over-arching inquiry into the Government's handling of scientific advice, risk and evidence in policy making. This report focuses on the relationship between scientific advice and evidence and the classification of illegal drugs. Amongst its findings, the Committee criticises the lack of consistency in the rationale used to make drug classification decisions within the current 'ABC' system, and calls for its replacement by a more scientifically-based scale of harm, decoupled from penalties for possession and trafficking. The report argues that the weakness of the evidence base on addiction and drug abuse is a severe hindrance to effective policy making, and highlights the need for the Government to increase significantly its investment in research. The report also identifies a number of serious flaws in the role played by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the Government's scientific advisory committee on drug classification and policy, with a need for independent oversight of the Council's workings in the future. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 84
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... Misuse of Drugs Regulations Commissioned research International comparisons US Netherlands Sweden Obligations under UN treaties Other reports and sources of information 3 Sources of advice 4 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Role ...
... Misuse of Drugs Regulations Commissioned research International comparisons US Netherlands Sweden Obligations under UN treaties Other reports and sources of information 3 Sources of advice 4 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Role ...
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Contents
Report | 3 |
Sources of advice | 11 |
Incorporation of advice into policy | 22 |
Transparency | 33 |
UK investment in research | 39 |
Conclusion | 48 |
Membership of the ACMD | 56 |
3 | 59 |
13 | 13 |
20 | 20 |
28 | 28 |
34 | 34 |
40 | 40 |
Role of ACMD | 47 |
7 | 53 |
Common terms and phrases
2006 Joan Ryan ACMD ACMD's ACPO Adam Afriyie addiction Advisory Council alcohol amphetamines Andy Hayman asked assessment Bob Spink Chairman Chief Executive Class A drug classification of cannabis classification system cocaine Colin Blakemore commissioned decision Dr Harris Dr Iddon Dr Turner drug classification drugs policy DrugScope ecstasy effect evidence base expertise experts going Government Government's Home Office Home Secretary illegal drugs impact issue Joan Ryan Joan Ryan MP June 2006 Joan King-Lewis look magic mushrooms Margaret Moran mental health methylamphetamine Minister Misuse of Drugs Newmark organisations Paragraph particular penalties problems Professor Blakemore Professor David Nutt Professor Nutt Professor Sir Michael Professor Strang psilocin psilocybin question Rawlins and Professor reclassification recommendations risk role scale of harm schizophrenia scientific advice scientific evidence Sir Michael Rawlins social harms substances Technical Committee tobacco users Vernon Coaker Vernon Coaker MP