tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post363779307778027173..comments2023-09-20T11:15:28.673+01:00Comments on Transform Drug Policy Foundation Blog: Prohibition doesn't work, so lets have more prohibition!janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15263261726046054614noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-55247539651283407382009-05-22T12:43:41.961+01:002009-05-22T12:43:41.961+01:00I looked at this report when it came out the other...I looked at this report when it came out the other. Glad you have challenged Steve because it was utter crap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-24967771830838808892009-05-22T11:09:14.388+01:002009-05-22T11:09:14.388+01:00Fair point, Steve. I can see how in your position ...Fair point, Steve. I can see how in your position a strategy of 'positive engagement' makes sense. Happily, I am under no such constraints!<br /><br />In response to Chris, by describing the report as 'absolute nonsense', I didn't mean to suggest that it is wrong or senseless in every single respect - that would be quite some achievement, even for a half-witted ideologue like Gyngell! I just meant that overall, as an analysis of the problem, it is fundamentally flawed.<br /><br />I'm very pessimistic about Tory drug policy but would love to be proved wrong.the prof speaks sh*tenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-9136628516025725132009-05-21T16:51:05.815+01:002009-05-21T16:51:05.815+01:00The good work in providing proper critic of report...The good work in providing proper critic of reports such as this is a great way to make headway in the debate because in doing so it will force the authors to defend the authoritative voice they try and take on the subject, which of course they will be unable to defend as their position not based on any evidence led proof or correct thinking.chrisbx515https://www.blogger.com/profile/14111482518141374105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-72499060763686591812009-05-21T10:36:59.757+01:002009-05-21T10:36:59.757+01:00Disagree with the prof that Gyngell's report is co...Disagree with the prof that Gyngell's report is complete nonsense. It does highlight very effectively the success of the Dutch approach, although it fails to attribute that success to the separation of markets in hard and soft drugs. It also attempts to perpetuate the myth that cannabis is a gateway to harder drugs, when the Dutch stats clearly show this isn't true. <br /><br />I agree though that the motive for the report seems to be to rubbish Labour/harm reduction and set the scene for the coming Cameron crackdown. By throwing some red meat to IDS and chums, Dave will be able to keep the drug warriors in the party and the press onside.chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-78389173254649886212009-05-21T09:43:27.076+01:002009-05-21T09:43:27.076+01:00This is another one of those reports where the wri...This is another one of those reports where the writer takes a long time demolishing the current situation and then no time at all examining the evidence for their proposed solution. <br /><br />Her first conclusion is 'A successful drugs policy should be based on three simple<br />principles:<br />• reducing the supply of drugs;' as if that is quite easy to achieve.<br /><br />This should, however, be seen as an attempt by right-wing Tories to push Cameron et al into a corner before the election. Steve is right to say what matters is engaging with those in the Tory party who have indicated they will listen to arguments.<br /><br />On the doorstep, last week, my prospective Tory candidate for the next general election agreed that the present situation must be examined because it isn't working.thepoisongardenhttp://www.thepoisongarden.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-19246895748055220412009-05-21T09:23:39.466+01:002009-05-21T09:23:39.466+01:00the Tories are looking like being in power within ...the Tories are looking like being in power within a year, so constructive engagement is probably the best way forward - at least starting by finding common ground, and moving into critique and and trying to get a rational debate on options moving from there. Doing a hatchet job on the report, which it was certainly asking for (replete as it is with logical fallacies and statistical misrepresentations) wouldn't neccassarily help anyone. <br /><br />Given that Labour appears to be a busted flush, and the lib dems not likely to make much headway, I can only hope that the groupings of more progressive Tories on drug policy (Cameron, Duncan etc)will start engaging in the debate as well, and not leave Gyngel/Duncan Smith etc to make all the running. Its a bad situation but movement elsewhere - in Europe, the States, and S America may bring them to their senses. You have to hope.Steve Rolleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487781869462634203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-39129685768529651712009-05-20T19:11:53.709+01:002009-05-20T19:11:53.709+01:00You are far too kind to Gyngell. Her report is abs...You are far too kind to Gyngell. Her report is absolute nonsense. This doesn't augur well for future Tory drug policy after the election.the prof speaks sh*tenoreply@blogger.com