drugs policy & academic freedom & politics
I heard Evan Harris MP speak a few weeks ago in Ditton (nr Runcorn/Widnes). Yes, academic freedom has to happen. Yes, if you annoy (or get "yes men") voluntary unpaid, qualified advisers they'll quit if they feel they're restricted.
Universities all have policies on academic freedom (eg freedom of expression), even if your pet theory is different to the status quo.
However ultimately drug classification is a political decision. Yes cannabis went from class B to class C then class B again (tough on drugs?), however the law is ignored by millions of people. It also ties up a lot of police time in related crime; thefts, burglaries etc to fund a drug habit.
Personally, I've been burgled three times in the past year. The police caught them on two occassions. The first was an alcoholic, drug using (cannabis) next door neighbour and his cousin; both unemployed. The third only got away with a bicycle after managing to kick the front door in (although I had a suspect).
There was another theft that was drug related.
However, drugs policy needs to be changed. Lib Dem policy is for a more liberal approach to cannabis.
However at this point, I will declare I am a member of the "said party" and point out this conflict of interest. At 29 though, I do feel drugs policy needs to be based on advice from those "in the know", rather than knee-jerk headline chasing decisions by sucessive Home Secretaries to be "tough on drugs" by increasing the penalties for possession etc...
Biting the hand that feeds IT
