Two members of the scientific panel that offers guidance to the government on drug policy have resigned over the treatment of chief adviser Professor David Nutt.
Other members of the 31-strong Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs were also thought to be considering their positions following the sacking of Prof Nutt on Friday.
Home secretary Alan Johnson ordered him out after a series of criticisms of government policy including the reclassification of cannabis against the body’s advice.
Lord Winston yesterday added his backing to Prof Nutt, noting that he was “very surprised and disappointed” that the government had acted in a “knee jerk” fashion. He added that laws not based on evidence would be ignored by the public.
The row has sparked concerns over the future role between the science community and politicians and the use of independent scientific evidence when formulating policy.
It deepened as Dr Les King quit the ACMD in protest over Prof Nutt’s dismissal. He was followed by Marion Walker a pharmacist, who is also clinical director of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s substance misuse service.
At least one other is understood to have also quit as Prof Nutt said the position of the council, which reviews drugs and their classification, was now “untenable”.
It means the way the government assesses illegal drugs and their potential harm is in danger of collapse.
Read more at The Telegraph.
Tags: Drugs classification
