Far from protecting us and our children, the war on drugs is making the world a much more dangerous place. SO FAR this year, about 4000 people have died in Mexico's drugs war - a horrifying toll. If only a good fairy could wave a magic wand and make all illegal drugs disappear, the world would be a better place. Dream on. Recreational drug use is as old as humanity, and has not been stopped by the most draconian laws. Given that drugs are here to stay, how do we limit the harm they do? [continues 635 words]
The Drug Can Be a Lifeline, and a Fortunate Few May Soon Get It on Prescription. but Why Has It Taken So Long? I have had patients commit suicide because they said life had no meaning for them any more," says William Notcutt, an anaesthetist at James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on England's east coast. Notcutt specialises in treating patients in severe long-term pain. The causes are varied, ranging from spinal injuries to multiple sclerosis, but most of the patients have one thing in common: existing medicines don't help them. [continues 2055 words]
When nothing else works, heroin addicts should be prescribed the drug they crave, says Clare Wilson PAY A visit to William Shanahan's clinic in central London and you may see some strange goings-on. He hands out heroin to junkies. Shanahan is one of a small number of doctors in Britain who hold a licence to prescribe heroin to State-registered addicts. In his experience it's the best way to deal with the really tough cases-those hardest of hard-core addicts who repeatedly relapse after conventional treatment. [continues 2287 words]
Either Quite Or Die, Smokers Are Told. But Clare Wilson Says This Message Is Doing More Harm Than Good. THE evil weed, cancer sticks, coffin nails ... From the names smokers use to describe their habit it's obvious they know they should quit. Politicians and doctors agree. The orthodox view is that slowly and surely, via creeping prohibition, tax hikes, education and medical intervention, people must be weaned off their deadly addiction until eventually, one fine day, the last smoker stubs out their last ciggy--and we'll all live happily ever after. [continues 2501 words]
