Research
Essex role in drugs policy report
Essex has played a leading role in a recent independent
report recommending a radical rethink of drugs policy.
The RSA Commission on Illegal Drugs, Communities and Public Policy,
which published its final report at the beginning of March, was chaired by
Professor Anthony King of Government and included Professor Nigel South of
Sociology amongst its members.
The report, Drugs - Facing the Facts, recommends that addiction
to drugs and other substances should be treated as a chronic health
condition and a social problem, not just as a crime and cause of crime. It
urges a shake-up of policy ahead of the Government’s review of the
National Drug Strategy in 2008.
The report argues that drugs policy should be consistent and
comprehensive treating illegal drugs alongside alcohol and tobacco; that
the Misuse of Drugs Act should be repealed and replaced with a Misuse of
Substances Act; and that the Home Office should hand over responsibility
of drugs policy to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Professor King said: ‘Drugs in our society are not just about crime;
they are about individual health, public health, family life and the
health and well-being of entire communities. It cannot be good for the UK
that it is currently the drug-using centre of Europe.’
Established in January 2005, the Commission’s aim was to examine all
aspects of the relationship between public policy and the use and abuse of
illegal drugs.
Drugs - Facing the Facts is available at
www.rsadrugscommission.org.
Nanotechnology explored
A researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences is
taking part in a Europe-wide project to deepen the understanding of
nanotechnology.
Professor Ian Colbeck is working with a consortium of environmental
NGOs, trade unions and other academics on the three-year project. Together
they aim to improve the understanding of the environmental, occupational
health and safety risks and ethical aspects of this new technological
field.
The first of four working conferences has recently taken place in
Amsterdam with further events planned in Aarhus, Athens and Dublin.
Professor Colbeck explained: ‘Nanotechnology is a major growth area in
research and industry which could have applications in a variety of areas
including textiles, food, drugs and prosthetic implants. However, despite
the possible risks to human health and the environment posed by
nanoparticles and products now containing nanomaterials, there are still
no regulations that specifically relate to nanotechnology.
‘There is no requirement for nanomaterials to be subject to new safety
assessments, no requirement for manufacturers to disclose safety testing
performed, and no product labelling to enable consumers to make an
informed choice.’
The NANOCAP (Nanotechnology Capacity Building NGOs) project will enable
environmental NGOs and trade unions to fully-understand the implications
of nanotechnology and inform their members and the general public.
In addition, NANOCAP will develop recommendations to enable public
authorities to address the health, safety and environmental risk issues
related to the rapid introduction of this technology into society. Those
taking part anticipate being able to give industry the tools to introduce
a ‘responsible nanotechnology.'
The end of the project will be marked by an international conference
for a wider range of stakeholders.
Self-regulation and the internet
Professor Lorna Woods from the Department of Law has been
appointed as a consultant on a study of the options for and effectiveness
of self-regulation in the Information Society.
Commissioned by the European Commission (EC), the study has been
organised by Chris Marsden, a fellow of the Department of Law, who works
for RAND Europe.
The study will develop an assessment of existing self and co-regulatory
regimes relating to Information Society services and other digital
content.
Self regulation, where industry regulates itself, and co-regulation,
the combination of state and non-state regulation, are seen by the
European Commission as potentially more effective than traditional
legislative approaches which struggle to keep up with the pace of
technological change and the decentralisation of information.
The study aims to give a clear and understandable picture of the
effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of self and co-regulation of
the internet, and provide valuable input to its continued development.
This includes the further development of Codes of Conduct in such areas as
internet search, social networking, mobile and game content.
It will also help to identify conditions under which such institutional
arrangements can best stimulate innovation without compromising safety,
security and fundamental rights.
The ultimate aim is to support EC efforts to initiate or mediate self-
and co-regulation. The findings and recommendations will be disseminated
widely to stimulate further discussion.
Also in the printed March edition of Wyvern:
- Researchers to build intelligent car
- Bookshelf
- $500 million for US energy institute
- Human rights journal
- Families help home technology trial
