Committee hears from scientific experts for drugs inquiry
19 June 2012
The Home Affairs Committee hears from scientific experts about the role of evidence in drug policy on Tuesday 19 June 2012.
This is the Home Affairs Select Committee’s fifth evidence session in the inquiry into drugs policy. The inquiry, which has received numerous written evidence submissions from organisations and members of the public, is intended to be a comprehensive review of drugs policy.
The first panel will be Professor David Nutt, the founder of the International Scientific Committee on Drugs and former Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) Chairman, and Doctor Les King, a former Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD) and former ACMD Member. The Committee will be questioning Professor Nutt and Dr King of their experience of working with Government and the difficulties involved in having evidence-based drug policy.
The second panel will be the Chairman and two members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The committee will discuss their role and how they can most effectively aid the Government in what is becoming a rapidly changing landscape following the current trend for novel psychoactive 'substance'.
Witnesses
Tuesday 19 June 2012 at 11am in Committee Room 15, Palace of Westminster
At approx 11am
- Professor David Nutt, International Scientific Committee on Drugs and former ACMD Chairman,
- Doctor Les King, a former ISCD and former ACMD Member.
At approx 11.30am
- Dr Les Iversen, Prof. Ray Hill
- Annette Dale-Perera, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Committee Chair Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP said:
"Hearing a scientific perspective when examining drug policy is imperative. We hope to use this session to find the balance between scientific fact and public opinion and so overcome the tension that has been a theme of drugs policy.
The Committee looks forward to hearing from Professor Nutt and Dr King about their current research and former roles.
It also looks forward to questioning members of the ACMD on their view of the current classification process and the reviews of specific drugs they are currently undertaking."
Further information