tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post116955778654609962..comments2023-09-20T11:15:28.673+01:00Comments on Transform Drug Policy Foundation Blog: Tony's drug policy map for Gordonjanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15263261726046054614noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-1169655898962117102007-01-24T16:24:00.000+00:002007-01-24T16:24:00.000+00:00Steve; But as we both know, heroin is banned for e...Steve; But as we both know, heroin is banned for even medical use in the US, so getting the UN to do anything is impossible.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous; I dont really understand what you are suggesting, are you saying that US and UK troops are involved in the production of opium? They certainly seem unable to stop it, but I think thats just because there isnt anywhere near the number of troops needed in Afghanistan to provide law and order.<BR/><BR/>Allan Brown; Indeed, I think everyone is waiting to see what Gordon will do, he hasnt exactly given us much idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-1169639060509381372007-01-24T11:44:00.000+00:002007-01-24T11:44:00.000+00:00Policies that are humane and sensible, whatever ar...Policies that are humane and sensible, whatever are you thinking. <BR/>Mind you I am more concerned what the political machine will, or will not, push out post 2008, and the most worrying part of Steve's post is the line about Gordon Brown "refusing to keep to the 10-year policy review". I hadn't seen this before and it begs the question which way will he go, take his eye of the ball entirely or keep with existing systems. There is already a lot of posturing and positioning coming from the Department of Health about a world after the NTA, and a lot of cash strapped PCT's, local councils and future Childrens Trusts are eager to pull down the ring fenced spending. I am less worried about the possibility that we will ignore innovation, and more concerned that the sharks are circling and once the NTA and the DAT's go (or a reduced to a talking shop entirely), there will be no drug strategy to speak of, no checks and balances, and only a punitive approach to drug treatment. I for one would rather improve the structures and utilise the expertise in shifting the agenda slowly, rather than return to the bad old days of paternalistic prescribing, riven with the ego and desire for self promotion of the prescribers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-1169635588775922162007-01-24T10:46:00.000+00:002007-01-24T10:46:00.000+00:00As most of this years bumper opium crop has ben ha...As most of this years bumper opium crop has ben harvested under supervision of us and uk troops, and supply increases here, I find these policy 'debates,' disturbing, a policy is being enacted whilst government pretends it's something else, lies is too nice a word for this situation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-1169593817798221122007-01-23T23:10:00.000+00:002007-01-23T23:10:00.000+00:00It wouldnt be terribly tricky to grow some more. I...It wouldnt be terribly tricky to grow some more. Its a raw material crop like any other and over half of global opium production is already for the legal market (mostly in Tasmania and India). The issue is with the UN drug agencies that license legal opium cultivation.Steve Rolleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487781869462634203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28543539.post-1169560834614681162007-01-23T14:00:00.000+00:002007-01-23T14:00:00.000+00:00Given there isnt enough heroin to go round at the ...Given there isnt enough heroin to go round at the moment, the idea at present of wider prescribing is just not possible.<BR/><BR/>Its a good idea of course, perhaps we could get the heroin from Afghanistan, but that really would be a step too far for the Daily Mail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com