LSD and cannabis should not be brought into the alcohol debate

MANCHESTER—International drug education provider the Foundation for a Drug-Free World has hit out at Government drug adviser Professor David Nutt, after his report published today claimed drugs including cannabis, ecstasy and LSD are less harmful than alcohol.

Professor Nutt, Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which advises the Government on drug policy, published his views in a briefing paper for the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King’s College London. A number of drug charities and even the Home Office have expressed discontent with Prof. Nutt’s assertions.

A representative from the Foundation for a Drug-Free World’s Northern England branch explained their grievance:

“Alcohol is most definitely a drug, and it does serious harm, in particular the long term effects of alcoholism, both physically and socially. But illegal drugs like LSD and cannabis should never be brought into the debate.”

The Foundation’s publication ‘The Truth About Marijuana’  has a section entitled ‘Alcohol vs. Marijuana,’ where they say this:

“Alcohol consists of one substance only: ethanol. Marijuana contains more than 400 known chemicals, including the same cancer-causing substances found in tobacco smoke.

“…There is no intention here to minimize the dangers of alcohol abuse, which can be equally harmful. Users, however, need to be aware that the chemicals in marijuana, some of them cancer-causing, remain in the body long after the drug is taken.”

On the other hand, the group agrees with Prof. Nutt’s statement that using scare tactics to prevent people from abusing drugs is destined for failure, instead favouring a no-holds-barred education programme that presents the facts about major illicit or abused substances. The Foundation recently published a video documentary using real stories of former drug users to illustrate the effects drugs can have on the lives of those who abuse them.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World makes their education package available free-of-charge to teachers and other educators, thanks to funding from the Church of Scientology. For more details visit www.drugfreeworld.org.