Our Next Seminar “Recent scientific developments in addiction which have implications for policy” will be held on Tuesday 1st July 2025, 5-6:45pm.
This will be a free virtual event via Zoom. Spaces are limited on a first come basis.
To book your space please visit our Ticket Tailor page here.
Speakers:
Professor David Nutt
Dr Anne Schlag
Professor Ilana Crome
Professor David Nutt
Dr Anne Schlag
Professor Ilana Crome
Summary:
We explore how scientific research may help to improve the effectiveness and reduce the unintended side effects of contemporary drug policies and suggest some rational ways in which neuroscience may better assist in policy decisions. We will cover the impact of current drug policy on psychiatric practice, the legacies of the laws, and suggestions for changing policy. We will include a discussion surrounding psychedelic drugs, ecstasy, novel psychoactive drugs, and cannabis as well as research on psychedelic drugs which could revolutionise the treatment of some psychiatric disorders.
Objectives:
- Appreciation of how policy influences treatment and research into psychiatric disorders.
- Discussion as to how science can promote policies relating to public health.
- Understanding of the negative effects and unforeseen consequences of policies especially into treatment and research of psychiatric disorders.
- Understanding of why the Misuse of Drugs Act is not fit for purpose because the society, technology, production and patterns of drug use have changed since it was enacted.
Session Outline:
The session will be chaired by Professor Ilana Crome.
Professor David Nutt will briefly outline the relationship of harms caused by drugs and UK drug laws, and impact on drug use and drug policy. This will be followed by Dr Anne Schlag’s description of a recent study – T21 – on the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in the UK.
David will conclude the session with a discussion about the developments in the use of psychedelic drugs as a treatment for psychiatric disorders.
There will then be time for discussion.
Research can transform lives. We want to support discoveries about what helps people with mental disorder who have been victims of criminal behaviour, or perpetrators of criminal behaviour, and their families, and the clinicians and others who treat them and, indeed, the wider community when its members are in contact with these problems. More effective prevention is the ideal, when this is not possible, we need more effective, evidenced interventions for recovery and restoration of safety.
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