Pubdate: Tue, 05 Nov 2013
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: 2013 The Scotsman Publications Ltd
Contact: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/contactus.aspx
Website: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Author: John Von Radowitz

COURAGEOUS DRUGS ADVISER HONOURED WITH PRIZE FOR STANDING UP FOR SCIENCE

FORMER government drugs adviser Professor David Nutt, who has 
repeatedly clashed with ministers over his outspoken views on illegal 
drugs, has been awarded an international prize for "standing up for science".

Prof Nutt was sacked from his role as chairman of the UK government's 
advisory council on the misuse of drugs by then home secretary Alan 
Johnson, in 2009, after maintaining that alcohol and tobacco are more 
harmful than LSD, ecstasy and cannabis.

The professor was quoted as saying that horse riding was inherently 
more dangerous than ecstasy.

His award, the John Maddox Prize for Standing Up for Science, is an 
obvious gesture of support from his peers.

The prize, now in its second year, is a joint initiative by the 
journal Nature, the Kohn Foundation and the charity Sense About 
Science. It is given to reward courage in promoting evidence-based 
science on a matter of public interest in the face of difficulty or hostility.

Prof Colin Blakemore, from Oxford University, one of the prize 
judges, said: "The 2013 prize recognises Prof Nutt's exceptional 
strength of character and his personal commitment to the open 
presentation of scientific evidence.

"In circumstances that would have humiliated and silenced most 
people, David Nutt continued to affirm the importance of evidence in 
understanding the harms of drugs and in developing drug policy."

Prof Nutt is currently director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit 
at Imperial College London.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom