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Is horse riding more dangerous than ecstasy?

Is horse riding more dangerous than ecstasy?

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If a scientist, whose advice to the government had been distorted for political ends, in commenting on that government's tough on drugs policy, says "horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy", is it a "political point" he is making, or is it a "scientific point"?

[BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/8337185.stm]

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Originally posted by FMF
If a scientist, whose advice to the government had been distorted for political ends, in commenting on that government's tough on drugs policy, says "horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy", is it a "political point" he is making, or is it a "scientific point"
mate you're gonna have to be more subtle than that trying to elicit tips for tommorrow's Melbourne Cup. 😛

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The post that was quoted here has been removed
Play politics? The quote in question was from an article published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

Personally, I think it shows again the tendency of governments and political parties to have "scientific" advice panels filled with sock puppets that are nothing more than propaganda devices. Of course, Johnson, has denied this but you'd have to be blind not to see this.

Moreover, Nutt is a psycho-pharmacologist and his advice concerns the physical and psychological harm of each drug and NOT on the sociological effects (which now Johnson uses as argument).

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Originally posted by FMF
If a scientist, whose advice to the government had been distorted for political ends, in commenting on that government's tough on drugs policy, says "horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy", is it a "political point" he is making, or is it a "scientific point"?

[BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/8337185.stm]
I suspect it's a Europe thing. They may have their hands tied on this issue but don't want to admit it to us or their experts. Perhaps they know that new legislation is on it's way from Europe, and it's easier to stand in line now rather than later, which would fuel the whole Euro-sceptic stance.

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
I suspect it's a Europe thing. They may have their hands tied on this issue but don't want to admit it to us or their experts. Perhaps they know that new legislation is on it's way from Europe, and it's easier to stand in line now rather than later, which would fuel the whole Euro-sceptic stance.
That's an interesting point.

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When you consider that 17 people on average die every YEAR in the UK as result solely from MDMA use, and that in England around 1600 people die a WEEK from smoking tobacco.

I think he may have a point.

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
I suspect it's a Europe thing. They may have their hands tied on this issue but don't want to admit it to us or their experts. Perhaps they know that new legislation is on it's way from Europe, and it's easier to stand in line now rather than later, which would fuel the whole Euro-sceptic stance.
According to you, what is Europe about to impose on them? A hard-line stance? That's quite unlikely consider the UK is hardly progressive on drug use compared to some other EU countries.

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Originally posted by Proper Knob
When you consider that 17 people on average die every YEAR in the UK as result solely from MDMA use, and that in England around 1600 people die a WEEK from smoking tobacco.

I think he may have a point.
hear, hear!

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Originally posted by FMF
If a scientist, whose advice to the government had been distorted for political ends, in commenting on that government's tough on drugs policy, says "horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy", is it a "political point" he is making, or is it a "scientific point"?

[BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/8337185.stm]
You're talking about sex here, aren't you ?

GRANNY.

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Originally posted by FMF
If a scientist, whose advice to the government had been distorted for political ends, in commenting on that government's tough on drugs policy, says "horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy", is it a "political point" he is making, or is it a "scientific point"?

[BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/8337185.stm]
It was for Christopher Reeves.

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Originally posted by Palynka
According to you, what is Europe about to impose on them? A hard-line stance? That's quite unlikely consider the UK is hardly progressive on drug use compared to some other EU countries.
By using the word "suspect" I was trying to indicate that I am considering it as a possibility. In answer to your question, I remember hearing a while ago that Holland was under significant pressure to close it's coffee shops due to EU directives. This would suggest to me that the EU is not likely to be progressive with drug policy, and yes, I think it will have a hard line stance. There are 25 (?) member states now. Most of which would be opposed to liberal drug policy.

Maybe I am wrong, if so I would be grateful if you could enlighten me (seriously).

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
By using the word "suspect" I was trying to indicate that I am considering it as a possibility. In answer to your question, I remember hearing a while ago that Holland was under significant pressure to close it's coffee shops due to EU directives. This would suggest to me that the EU is not likely to be progressive with drug policy, and yes, I think it ...[text shortened]... policy.

Maybe I am wrong, if so I would be grateful if you could enlighten me (seriously).
I also don't see know much, but I don't see any tendency to move towards a hard line stance. If anything, the approach to cannabis use in the new member countries will soften because the EU approach to drug demand is prevention and treatment, not criminalization.

So I think the status quo is not about to change any time soon. There's just too much disagreement between member countries in this issue.

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Originally posted by twiceaknight
By using the word "suspect" I was trying to indicate that I am considering it as a possibility. In answer to your question, I remember hearing a while ago that Holland was under significant pressure to close it's coffee shops due to EU directives. This would suggest to me that the EU is not likely to be progressive with drug policy, and yes, I think it ...[text shortened]... policy.

Maybe I am wrong, if so I would be grateful if you could enlighten me (seriously).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:European-cannabis-laws.png

The EU leaves its member states' drug policies pretty much alone. As you can see from the figure, there are widely varying degrees of drug policy, which by the way have no visible correlation with actual drug use. The EU is not pressuring the Netherlands to close the coffeeshops at all, in fact after the pseudo-legalization of cannabis Belgium and Germany have softened their laws - you will no longer be arrested for recreational use there. However, some others have toughened their stance, for example Sweden hands out heavy jail sentences for cannabis use.

(by the way, there are 27 member states)

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Originally posted by KazetNagorra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:European-cannabis-laws.png

The EU leaves its member states' drug policies pretty much alone. As you can see from the figure, there are widely varying degrees of drug policy, which by the way have no visible correlation with actual drug use. The EU is not pressuring the Netherlands to close the coffeeshops at all, in ...[text shortened]... en hands out heavy jail sentences for cannabis use.

(by the way, there are 27 member states)
Thanks for the info. That's interesting. It shows my theory was wrong but also brings good news. I'm glad we are not heading for tighter drug policies from the EU. So the government ignoring the experts remains a bit of a mystery.