Drugs advice 'gives mixed signals'

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by Change | 30 Oct 2009

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A drugs rehabilitation expert has criticised a national addiction advisory group for giving out misleading messages about cannabis, it has been reported.

According to the Burton Mail, Noreen Oliver, founder of the Burton Addiction Centre, criticised the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' stance on the substance as promoting "mixed messages".

Spokesperson for the council David Nutt said smoking the class B substance created only a "relatively small risk" of psychotic illness.

He accused former home secretary Jacqui Smith of devaluing scientific evidence by upgrading the drug from class C to B.

Responding to his comments, Ms Oliver said the council failed to acknowledge cannabis' position as an "entry drug".

"When the tolerance feelings go up, you have to keep increasing the drug or alcohol to keep up with them, then people will look for something stronger to give them a harder hit," she explained.

The drugs rehabilitation worker added that the council's time would be better spent examining the causes of drug taking, rather than validating it.

In related news, drug addicts in the Midlands are to mentor local health workers in a bid to improve mental health services, claims the Nottingham Evening Post.

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