Professor David Nutt has spent a career making the argument for a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. The scientific evidence still challenges perceived wisdom on drugs and for that reason can appear to be contentious. In this podcast, the Professor explores the actual harms and potential benefits of various drugs, challenging myths surrounding classification and legislation, and exploring the societal impact of poorly informed drug policy. Using evidence in public policy should not be controversial. A podcast for anyone interested in understanding the scientific truth about drugs, free from political or moral concern.
https://drugscience.org.uk/
episode 52: 52. Drug Laws with Niamh Eastwood
Niamh Eastwood is the executive director of Release, the national centre offering legal services for drug users.
She started at Release as a legal advisor. Now, having worked in drug policy for the last fifteen years she’s co-authored many of Release’s advice booklets and drug policy related papers including ’The Colour of Injustice: 'Race', Drugs and Law Enforcement in England and Wales’. One of the aspects of drug laws she’s most passionate about is how disproportionately they affect the most vulnerable in society.
Accordingly, she’s advocating for drug policy reform in the UK by giving talks and lectures, contributing to drug policy journals and publications as well as drafting many of Release's briefings for parliamentarians and policy makers.
Release
The Numbers in Black and White: Ethnic Disparities in the Policing and Prosecution of Drug Offences in England and Wales
MDMA (Ecstasy)
Cannabis
Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis
Heroin
Police told not to use smell of cannabis in stop and search amid racism allegations
Amber Marks
Drug Detection Dogs and the Growth of Olfactory Surveillance: Beyond the Rule of Law?
Cocaine
Psychedelics
Drug Action Against Drugs
Release’s playing cards
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