46th Maudsley Debate: The challenge of legal highs
On November 15th the Institute of Ideas and the Institute of Psychiatry collaborated for the first time to create a Debate on the challenges associated with legal highs, novel psychoactive substances and less mainstream drugs.
The police, the parliamentarians, the addictions psychiatrists, the general practitioners, the voluntary sector and the family members of those harmed by these drugs were all represented.
A radical departure from the house style meant that there were five speakers, no polarised speeches and no vote. Despite the absence of a democratic voice the audience took part with gusto.
In the preceding weeks the ban of more synthetic cannabinoids and methoxetamine were announced, along with increased detection of deaths from mephedrone and the appearance of 57 new drugs within 11 months.
Did the panel and audience find solutions to this fast changing situation?
One thing was clear from all present. The continuation of the status quo cannot cope with the growing challenges of what one young journalism student in the audience dubbed a 'drug revolution'.
Speakers
Supporting the motion were:
Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair, Faculty of Addictions, Royal College of Psychiatrists
Dr Michael Fitzpatrick, GP; author, The Tyranny of Health: doctors and the regulation of lifestyle and Defeating Austism: a damaging delusion
Speaking against the motion were:
Tim Hollis, Chief Constable, Humberside Police; chair, ACPO Drugs Committee
Molly Meacher, Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform; former Chair, East London NHS Foundation Trust
Download the 46th Maudsley Debate podcast