Killed by Death

Drugs are harmful - we know that. The current unquestioned hysteria over the cheap amphetamine Mephedrone has taken us back to the late 80s when Ecstasy mania dominated the front pages for a few months. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1200759_legal_killer_drug_mephedrone_for_sale_on_our_streets

Gordon Brown at PMQs called it "evil" and showed his Bush-like determination to, "protect our children." On Monday the hastily reformed Advisory Council will recommend its control under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A few moments later Alan Johnson will merrily accept their advice and start talking really tough before the rapacious media, almost certainly using the word "scourge".

There probably is no time for a law change this side of an election for which Minsters will be criticised by the Sun and the Mail as evidence of Labour's soft attitude to drugs.

Evidence on this drug is moot. The Advisory Council (ACMD) suffered an almost terminal degree of resignations in the autumn following political interference, from Johnson, in its scientific analysis. Under new leadership they are allowing themsleves to be rushed headlong into making firm and lasting conclusions based on the thinnest of evidence bases.

The Chair of ACMD admitted before the Home Affairs Committee this week they have been pouring over the survey results of 'Head' magazine 'Mixmag'. So the experiences of a few 'chemical brothers' will be setting Government drug policy. Of the half a dozen or so deaths attributed to Meph since the media got interested, none have had a toxicology report proving it.

The drug appears to have similar harms to 'speed' and by that throughly subjective rule-of-thumb, it passes some vague test of controlled drug status. The outcomes of Mephedrone being 'banned' will be instructive about prohibition itself. Guernsey had a tiny amount trickling in - as soon as it became a matter for criminal justice the price rose 500% and gangs took over its supply. There is a shortage of firearms in the channel islands so dealers have elected to carry Samurai swords.

Such is the mental straitjacket we as a country are caught in over drugs, even the most obvious and imminent failure of the 'control' regime still does not allow us to think of any alternative. The desire to get tough in the face of fear is obsessional behaviour, some would say an addiction in itself.