Political calculation Arguments for and against drug prohibition

scott morgan reports how once attended discussion of peter reuter , david boyum s book analytic assessment of u.s. drug policy, in authors admitted ignoring legalization option in analysis. boyum claimed there no legitimate political support ending drug war , , reuter had therefore confined recommendations thought politically viable.

arguments against political calculation

two teenagers deaths in march 2010 triggered nationwide concern drug mephedrone in uk. advisory council on misuse of drugs (acmd) recommended ban on 29 march, passed law, decision criticised being politically rather scientifically driven , led resignation of acmd s eric carlin, eighth member of council leave in 5 months in protest @ seen political interference. toxicology reports released later in may 2010 revealed boys had never taken drug.

professor colin blakemore, professor of neuroscience @ university of oxford, said: shocking news should salutary lesson tabloid journalists , prejudiced politicians held gun heads of acmd , demanded drug should banned before single autopsy had been completed [...] politicians talk using drug classification way of sending messages young people. fear message sent hasty decision on mephedrone drug laws deserve no respect.

professor david nutt, former chairman of acmd, said: previous government s rush ban mephedrone never had serious scientific credibility – looks more decision based on short-term electoral calculation. news demonstrates why s important base drug classification on evidence, not fear, , why police, media , politicians should make public pronouncements once facts clear.