Drugs Without the Hot Air: Minimising the harms of legal and illegal drugs: 3

This book really lives up to its title. A very readable discussion of drugs, the law, and how the law works out in practice. Of course, one reason I think it so good is that it confirms my previous opinion - but it does so with a wealth of facts and documented references. What is makes clear is that the current law could almost have been designed to maximise the harm done by drugs. Due to a huge number of unintended consequences, current law is such as to increase drug usage while denying most sufferers from drug abuse the appropriate forms of treatment. I wish our law could be overhauled along the lines described in thsi book. Dr Nutt does not claim to have the solution to everything - but he does have a large number of well-argued suggestions as to how things could be made much, much better. Highly recommended.

I happened to stumble across this book whilst browsing the science shelves in a bookshop. The whole premise of the book grabbed my attention instantly as I had always wondered why cannabis is legal in some countries / states if the scientific and governmental consensus is that it is a harmful, psychosis-inducing substance. When I got home later that afternoon I watched some of David Nutt's lectures online and knew immediately that he was a man who knew his stuff. Practically everything he said was backed up with evidence, references and plain ol' common sense. Ordered the book that very night. I was not disappointed with this book in the slightest. I dived into it not knowing an awful lot about drugs but kept an open mind. Each and every chapter kept me engaged and made me challenge my preconceived notions about the harms and benefits of all of the drugs mentioned. It totally changed my perspective. This book is not just an enticing read but it should be considered gospel for layman literature about drugs as all of the harms are unexaggerated or untainted by political opinion and all of the benefits are also, studied without bias. READ THIS BOOK

David Nutt has written a brilliant book which is easy to read and understand. The media today often confuses the public understanding of substance misuse by sensationalising stories which often frighten the less well informed. His work as a psychiatrist and neuropsychopharmacologist specialising in the research of drugs makes him an expert on the subject. As well as having headed the ACMD ( advisory committee to the government), Professor Nutt is passionate about educating people and giving them the opportunity to make wise choices about their health and lives. This is a great book which I have found invaluable in my job as a drug and alcohol trainer. It is one which I highly recommend to learners because it gives quality information based on fact. Thank you Professor Nutt. BRILLIANT!

Professor Nutt is an expert authority in the area of recreational drug use and addiction and in his book provides accessible information to a lay audience. It is a pity that the UK governments have not utilised this expertise to develop an evidence based approach to drug policies. The book is well written and perfectly pitched for its target audience. I suggest that it would be a useful book for any secondary school library which would help provide useful information about recreational substances to young people, enabling them to make better informed choices about sustance use and lifestyle. I hope that the book finds a wider audiance and through that enables greater public debate about the current and future roles of recreational and life enhancing substances. Over all, a great book and a great read.

Just for the record, I agree with the thrust of this book, and most of Professor Nutt's arguments. That said, it needs to be made clear that this is a book that, in many ways, lays out an argument for legaliszation (and even acceptance) of drugs. It does not really discuss dissenting point of view. There is certainly a place for such a book, but readers should also familiarise themselves with the whole debate, not just Professor Nutt's view, if they want to come to an informed decision. The informative parts of the book (such as information on various drugs) are very good. I cannot comment on the historical aspects, but the scientific stuff is interesting, seemingly accurate, and pitched at the correct level for a lay reader. All in all, this is an excellent source of information. However, in many ways the information presented is quite selective. One specific factual criticism I have is the way the book deals with the link between cannabis use and schizophrenia/psychosis. The evidence for a causative link is REALLY downplayed, and some extremely weak evidence against such a link is presented as more decisive that it should be. An individual who chooses to smoke cannabis, as is their right, should be made aware of the risk of mental health problems, and downplaying it does them a disservice. All in all though, this is a fantastic book for someone who wants to research recreational drugs and the debate surrounding them. Just don't let it be the only title on your reading list if you want a balanced picture.

David Nutt is an expert on all things drugs related, and it really shows. He's also a good writer, and this book really had me hooked (or should I say addicted?). Largely in response to the sensationalist rantings of the tabloids, this book does a great job of explaining the risks and the mechanisms of addictions, highs, and withdrawls. My only criticism of the book is that David Nutt's status means that a lot of the research and papers that he references have his own name amongst the list of authors, which can make you wonder a little if he is cherry picking data.

I really enjoyed this book. For once it give CLEAR and TRUE effects of different drugs and the truth about them. No lies or making it sound worse than it is. As a student with an interest in psycho pharmacology, I really enjoyed this. There was statistics to back up the evidence which does indeed show that drugs(used in moderation) and used properly are really not as bad as we all think they are. Many drug related deaths from Ecstasy are due to poly drug using, heat exhaustion and water intoxication.. yet a lot of books leave that bit out. Really happy with this book and agree 100% with David Nutt, if only other government members where like him!

An excellent starting-point for learning about drugs and the problems arising from their use and misuse. Although the book is very clearly written and intended for a lay readership, there is a lot of information to take in. I fond it best to read the book in short stints as a result. An excellent primer for people working in the drugs field, along with counsellors, teachers and suchlike. When it comes to acquiring knowledge about drugs, ignore the media and read publications by people who are experts in the field.

Belle dédramatisation et explication sur l'emploi les effets des psychotropes par un auteur exceptionnel

Very through book and a unique way of looking at the actual "damage" of "drugs". In accessing the actual damage to ourselves, others and society as a whole, one needs to really look at the end result. For example, our society has many legal activities that are extremely dangerous, sky diving, extreme sports, horseback riding, skiing that we continue to allow our citizens to do. Other activities that are consensual, or have low potential for harm to self and others are illegal. When you make a consistent measurement of harm to self, others or society and apply it uniformly across the spectrum it quickly makes clear the inconsistencies on which many of our laws concerning drug use are based. For example, far more people die from the use of prescription medication than will ever be harmed by using cannabis. Science already available that show that four of the most dangerous drugs available are alcohol, tobacco, sugar and caffeine are widely available and for the most part available to anyone, at any age who wants them. As a matter of fact, tobacco, sugar and products containing caffeine are directly marketed to children. This suggests to two possible hypothesis to me. One that our drug policies are not based on any scientific standard of potential damage but on the moral standards of those who for religious or cultural reasons, consider adult recreational substance use to be wrong and immoral in the eyes of their god. Two that our drug policies are manipulated to favor producers and vendors of substances which, while unhealthy and destructive to our citizens, produce enormous profits at the expense of the health of our citizens and our society. This is a book that is written to explore the science behind rational drug policies and clearly shows that currently manipulation and propaganda are at the core of a multi-billion dollar system called the "war on drugs" that cause excessive harm to those it persecutes and has left the United States with the largest number of non-violent drug offenders in the world. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (for those with an open mind)

Es un libro bastante completo, que se limita a describir las drogas (legales y ilegales) y sus efectos en las personas sin caer en tópicos prohibicionistas o en apologías baratas.

Prof. David Nutt ist einer der weltweit renommiertesten Drogenexperten. Seine Forschungsarbeiten am Imperial College in London auf diesem Gebiet sind unter den wenigen ernst zu nehmenden Studien, die nicht politisch motiviert sind. In wissenschaftlichen Kreisen (und in der britischen Presse) wurde er berühmt durch seine kompromisslose, auf Fakten und Studien basierende Einschätzung sämtlicher Drogen (legaler und illegaler). Da er die Volksdroge Alkohol an die Spitze der Gefahrenliste platzierte (und Drogen wie Ecstasy und LSD ans untere Ende), war er als Oberhäuptling der Drogenberatung der britischen Regierung nicht mehr tragfähig und wurde gefeuert. Als Ergebnis dieser politischen Aktion traten alle anderen Mitglieder der Beratungskommission zurück. David Nutt gründete danach ein aus nicht staatlichen Mitteln gefördertes Institut, in dem seitdem gegen den Willen des politischen Establishments unabhängige Forschungen zum Thema durchgeführt werden. Auch eine hervorragende Aufklärungsseite im Internet existiert. In diesem Buch beschreibt er in auch für Laien verständlicher Sprache (gute Englischkenntnisse allerdings Pflicht) die Risiken und Nebenwirkungen der häufigsten Drogen. Er erklärt ausführlich, wieso die Gefahren von Alkohol unterschätzt werden, und wieso viele andere Drogen (deren Gefahren er durchaus ernst nimmt) von der Politik zu Unrecht dämonisiert werden. Es ist schon bemerkenswert mit wie viel politischer Energie hier in den letzten Jahrzehnten die Bevölkerung für dumm verkauft wurde. Eine unheimliche Allianz aus politischem Establishment und Medien beschützt die Alkohol- und Tabakindustrie (nicht nur in England) und verhindert echte Aufklärung zu den Risiken von Drogen. Wichtig ist, dass er entgegen anderer Sprecher kein Drogenguru oder gar Befürworter einer kompletten Legalisierung ist. Sein Ziel ist es, Drogen gleichwertig zu behandeln wie andere Medikamente, ihren "illegalen" Status zumindest so weit zu reduzieren, dass man mit diesen Substanzen vernünftige Forschung machen kann, und deren positiven Nutzen für Patienten herausarbeiten kann. Dies ist durch die strenge Klassifizierung im Betäubungsmittelgesetz (das sich zwischen UK und Deutschland nur gering unterscheidet) derzeit nicht möglich. Kleiner Treppenwitz am Rande: In England ist z.B. Heroin unter dem Namen Diamorphin ein zugelassenes Medikament. Die Forschung damit ist damit leichter möglich als Forschung zu Cannabis, LSD oder Ecstasy, die als nicht verkehrsfähig eingestuft sind. (In Deutschland sind alle diese Substanzen nicht verkehrsfähig). Fazit: Es gibt derzeit kein anderes Buch auf dem Markt, in dem das Thema Drogen von einem kompetenten Experten so objektiv und für Laien verständlich erklärt wird. (Wer kein Englisch kann findet in "High sein" eine gute Alternative, doch ohne die fundierte Wissenschaft). Allerdings muss man schon bereit sein, die letzten 50 Jahre an medialer Propaganda zu hinterfragen. Wer lieber jeden Abend seine zwei, drei Bier trinken will, und mit dem erhobenen Zeigefinger auf die Kiffer und Raver schimpfen möchte, wird hier nicht glücklich werden.

Excellent read.