Drug experts warn against appointing `gung-ho czar'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Experts warned the Government today not to turn its new drug czar into a vote-catching "gung-ho" general.
They said the policy could backfire if enforcement was over-emphasised at the expense of treatment, rehabilitation and prevention.
The four drugs experts, writing in the British Medical Journal, warned of the dangers of "war" rhetoric. They were disappointed that the drug czar had been charged with leading "the battle against drugs", and unhappy about the US being chosen as a role model. "The macho nature of the post is further signalled by its title - no czarina need apply," they wrote. The experts were led by John Strang, director of the National Addiction Centre, London. His co-authors were William Clee, chairman of the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse, Lawrence Gruer, a consultant in public health medicine from Glasgow, and Duncan Raistrick, director of the Leeds Addiction Unit.
The role of the drug czar - whose proper title is UK Anti-drugs Co-ordinator - will be to take an overview of strategies to combat substance abuse and make recommendations to the Government. Applications for the post must be in by 5 September.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments