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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Drug testing - Will be Counter productive ?
Don Barnard Press Release
Sunday 22 Feb 2004 Legalise Cannabis Alliance - News Bulletin Please forward to any assignment editor or journalist who you believe may be interested in this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 20/04: Drug testing - Will be Counter productive? Relevant to Tony Blair MP (I'm Tory Plan B) "Test everyone policy" ! http://www.lca-uk.org/challenge.php#testing Extracts: 3.12 CONCERNS As has been shown many people already face the possible disastrous consequences of this "voodoo science" called drug testing every day. No medical test known to man is 100 percent accurate. Why would drug testing be any different? For how long can we afford the costly use of drug testing. 3.13 Who is next for testing control: Doctors, Nurses, Dentists! - We do not suggest that these people use illicit substances we merely point out, the intention to test is there! 3.13(1) DOCTORS and NURSES could be randomly tested for drugs for alcohol under new guidelines to be issued by the National Health Service in Scotland. "The guidelines have been drawn up among growing concern at high levels of drug-taking and drinking among GPs and consultants. [Scotland Sunday Times February 23, 2003] 3.13(2) Then there is the previous mentioned proposal of East Riding Local Authority to drug and alcohol all personal at the behest [request] of government [25]. The implications of such a move would be litigation nightmare. For Example; individuals and companies who have contracts with the authority would be obliged to have a comparable policy in place or be subject to council policy. 3.13(3) It is argued If this demand reduction strategy works, it can be expanded. Drug tests can be given to people who apply for government benefits, such as welfare and public housing. 3.14 Who does that leave! Probation officers, Magistrates, judges, Home office official, MP's - School children! Don Barnard of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: " I raised the issue of drug testing in the consultation document to my local council In 1997, [You the Jury: Cannabis Law and Drug Testing] ... "they still do not want to talk about cannabis!" . You the Jury: Cannabis Law and Drug Testing. http://www.ccguide.org.uk/lawanddrugtesting.html Extracts: We appeal to you to initiate a truly open and honest dialogue regarding the future of UK drug control policies - one in which fear, prejudice and punitive prohibition yield to common sense, science, public health, human rights and practicality. If UK drugs policies continue on the same lines as they are now, we can look to the USA for the shape of things to come: Drug testing in all sections of society. Random testing of employees for illicit drug use in both the public and private sector. Random testing of students for illicit drug use. Zero tolerance? Don Barnard of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance said: "Would it be unsporting of me to say - told you so. "There are numerous problems with testing body fluids or hair for indication of an individuals impairment through drug use. "Some of the these problems relate to the test itself and its limitations, and others relate to the involvement of imperfect human beings at all levels of the testing process. No single analysis technique or method has immunity from errors or omissions. All can yield and have yielded incorrect or unacceptable results in some hands. There are several causes of inaccuracies, including problems of interfering substances, cross-reactions between illicit substances and other legal substances, human error and inadequate testing procedures. "Clearly, it raises both social and legal issues if an individual can test positive for cannabis without consuming it - especially where person's integrity, freedom or future prospects are at stake." Said Mr Barnard. Press Office The Legalise Cannabis Alliance Cyfreithloni Cannabis Cyfathrach PO Box 198, Norwich NR3 3WB http://www.lca-uk.org donbarnard@lca-uk.org
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