The Misuse of Drugs Act outlaws a number of different substances
precisely because they are "unsavoury, unhealthy, unappealing and...
potentially lethal". Would Molloy suggest that those drugs covered by the
Act are declassified? And if not, what makes them different to tobacco or
alcohol?
Let's presume that restrictions on the manufacture, transport and
sale of drugs were imposed in order to benefit society in some way. Why,
then, are the two drugs causing the most morbidity and mortality - alcohol
and tobacco - not just legal but readily available.
My criticisms are not targeted towards the individual - who, after
all, is choosing to consume a legal substance - but with our skewed
attitude towards drugs in general. No-one knows if banning cigarettes
would reduce the prevalence of smoking but to give tobacco a special
position above other, undoubtedly safer, drugs just seems ridiculous.
Rapid Response:
Re:A worrying attitude
The Misuse of Drugs Act outlaws a number of different substances
precisely because they are "unsavoury, unhealthy, unappealing and...
potentially lethal". Would Molloy suggest that those drugs covered by the
Act are declassified? And if not, what makes them different to tobacco or
alcohol?
Let's presume that restrictions on the manufacture, transport and
sale of drugs were imposed in order to benefit society in some way. Why,
then, are the two drugs causing the most morbidity and mortality - alcohol
and tobacco - not just legal but readily available.
My criticisms are not targeted towards the individual - who, after
all, is choosing to consume a legal substance - but with our skewed
attitude towards drugs in general. No-one knows if banning cigarettes
would reduce the prevalence of smoking but to give tobacco a special
position above other, undoubtedly safer, drugs just seems ridiculous.
Competing interests: No competing interests