Scientists demand access to drugs
Drugs for scientists
Georgy Pulyaevsky, "Expert Online"
It's no secret that, according to many experts, the drug classification system interferes with many experiments aimed at finding cures for such ailments as depression or schizophrenia. It would seem that the system has already permanently closed the possibility for most scientists to use marijuana and MDMA (what is commonly called "ecstasy") for therapeutic purposes. However, things may soon change, at least in the UK. The need for change was personally stated by the former adviser to the British government on the fight against drugs.
A well-known professor and advocate of "narcotic" research, David Nutt, stated the need for new amendments to the laws of the country that will help scientists do their job, and pharmaceutical companies produce "clean", licensed drugs.
"The instructions, which were initially quite arbitrary, actually turn the work and experiments with drugs into an illegal action. The effect that these laws have had on science is much more destructive than, for example, George Bush's attempts to stop research on stem cells. If only simply because this effect dates back to the 1960s," Natt said.
A representative of the British Ministry of the Interior also commented on the scientist's call for amendments to the law: "The Ministry of the Interior, which licenses the regime, will allow conscientious and law-abiding institutions to carry out scientific experiments, guaranteeing the necessary quality of drugs."
David Nutt announced his intention to participate in writing amendments to the law during a briefing in London, which was held as part of the presentation of a new book by a neuropsychopharmacology teacher at King's College London.
It is difficult to call Natt's idea original, he has long been known for his position on narcotic drugs. Back in 2009, he was dismissed from his position as chairman of the Government's Advisory Council on Combating Drugs. At that time, Alan Johnson, the former British Minister of Health, spoke for his resignation. This happened after Nutt announced to the whole country that LSD, MDMA and marijuana have done less harm in the entire history of mankind than all the usual alcohol and tobacco.
While on the territory of the kingdom, scientists who want to conduct experiments with psychotropic drugs have a hard time. Firstly, they are obliged to provide a huge list of documents confirming the need to use such tools in their scientific works. After the approval of the prepared documents by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (by the way, the verification of documents can take up to a whole year), scientists are required to pay for a license, the cost of which may exceed several thousand pounds. And thirdly, scientists are required to provide safe warehouses and laboratories, as well as to sign their consent to random inspections by the police.
"Such rules severely restrict research that is at the forefront of new science and completely discourage the desires of many scientists to engage in them," David says indignantly. – It's scary to even imagine how much science has lagged behind real ideas about the possibilities of such drugs as MDMA, LSD and marijuana over the past 40 years, which may well help in the research of diseases such as schizophrenia. In fact, we simply have no way to legally work with this unique material."
The scientist is also confident that working with these substances can seriously help victims of severe stress shocks. Being under their influence, people can relive their trauma, decompose its mechanism on the shelves, remove it from the database of their memories or learn how to manage it.
The scientist cited as an example one of the studies in the United States, where people under the influence of MDMA not only drowned out unpleasant memories, but were also able to finally overcome them.
"We would very much like to conduct similar studies in the UK, but even if we manage to achieve a successful result, it will lead to nothing. None of the doctors will be able to use such drugs, because they still do not have the opportunity to get a license to work with them," Natt continues. "Also, we should not forget about the studies in which LSD was used as a drug that helps in the treatment of alcohol addiction. The results of that study showed that scientists were dealing with the world's best drug for addiction. But difficulties with the law and the necessary training of specialists "buried" all further tests."
The scientist is confident that the amendment to the law and a detailed study of the effects of narcotic drugs will lead to a new rational approach to their consumption.
"I am by no means in favor of legalization and an open drug market, which will really only lead to an increase in the number of their users," the scientist finally added. "We only need well–regulated access."
Apparently, the next step of such state legalization may be the distribution of prohibited drugs through special pharmacies. But this will happen only when the scientist's amendments are approved at the state level.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru01.06.2012