Tag Archives: london

British skeptics rethink drug policy over a few beers

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On BMJ.com, guest blogger Annabel Bentley relates the proceedings of a local chapter of “Skeptics In The Pub” (their Facebook page is here) in which they heard the ex-chairman of the UK government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs speak in favor of an evidence-based approach to drug policy.

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Photo by sjgardiner via Flickr.

Saying that alcohol is one of that country’s greatest drug problems, the ex-chairman (who lost his job for making similar remarks [PDF]) argued that drugs should be classified based on their relative harms.

Bentley also links to a fun Skeptics in the Pub piece in The Economist, this one about Skeptics coming together in defense of a journalist being sued by the British Chiropractic Association over a piece he did considering the effectiveness of their profession.

Andrew Van Dam of The Wall Street Journal previously worked at the AHCJ offices while earning his master’s degree at the Missouri School of Journalism.

U.K. official praises British health reporting

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Christie Silk reports the World Editor’s Forum’s editorsweblog.org that Lord Drayson, U.K. minister for science and innovation, told the World Conference of Science Journalists in London that the work of British health and science journalists “is of a very high standard,” provided journalists have access to scientists and are “centre stage.” According to Drayson, the work of such journalists provides an essential public service and helps the public make informed decisions.

Andrew Van Dam of The Wall Street Journal previously worked at the AHCJ offices while earning his master’s degree at the Missouri School of Journalism.