Prof Michael Moriarty

Policy director and strategic thinker at "drugs ain't cool, bro", not-for-profit. Working towards a drug free UK. Views are my own. DM for media queries

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@FKAShowpony Yes, I can... my wife has had great success with the TECC Arc 5, hasn't had a cigarette for nearly a month now, I'd recommend this to all

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

Great work, need more of this

[Barking & Dagenham MPS @MPSBarkDag]

Great work by @edfenergy and officers from #KGTeamB who executed a warrant at a residential address in Sandringham Road, Barking and discovered the set up of a large scale cannabis factory. Thousands of pounds worth of equipment seized by police.

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@LivEchonews completely sends out the wrong message to others. a custodial sentence would have been far more appropriate. we've got the police working hard to clamp down on these dealers, only for the courts to turn a blind eye. depressing

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@gibgibgib1 @oaedoel @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair IMHO ultimately sends out the wrong message, that drug taking is social acceptable - and that the big issue to solve is "quality control"

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Jason1032 @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair as i said on my initial tweet this morning, a two-step approach...
1) clamp down on the deadly dealers, preventing supply
2) controls on music (eg grind), films and games (eg grand theft automobiles) that glamorise drugs, gangs and "gangsta life"

stops availability AND demand

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Peteris_Briedis @SadiqKhan such media subconsciously normalises criminal attitudes and behaviour in the young

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@afterprohibends @Jason1032 @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair Irrelevant - it impairs judgement, 1000s of drug driving arrests per year, many fatalities caused, endless fires caused by folks dozing off whilst still holding lit spliffs. Likely actual number of deaths directly related to abusing cannabis under-reported

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Jason1032 @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair I'd never look to do such a comparison - no drug is safe - and abuse of alcohol is something requiring additional controls - but it can be safely enjoyed in moderation by most. That's not an argument for decriminalising other substances however IMHO.

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@jpc7992 @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair No disrespect Jaypea, but you need go get yourself educated. Anecdotal observations you might have on the subject isn't actual evidence for use in setting a drug policy and strategy

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@xxpriya You're thinking of garage parties, similar to a rave, but different music. Raves have pretty much gone

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Jason1032 @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair trouble with the Portuguese figures is that historically, toxicological autopsies were very rare - and thus likely drug death figures went under-reported. They are rising now, with increased autopsies [2012 Caitlin]

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Jason1032 @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair I'm afraid for those, it's not valid to compare adjusted rates which use different standard populations

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@afterprohibends @oaedoel @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair The excellent 1990 criminal justice bill stamped out the ecstasy raves overnight, it's possible

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Eli_Lanne @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair they said the same about drink-driving in the 70s. "You'll never stop it", yet in a generation became socially unacceptable

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@oaedoel @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair It's the same with a lot of these anonymous "pro-junkie" accounts I'm afraid, vested interests from a lot of them I suspect - anticipating business opportunities if they can get things decriminalised

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@Jason1032 @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair Not so Jason, many years experience in the field. It's definitely possible to make cultural changes, look a drink driving or wearing of seatbelts. In a generation these become socially unacceptable - just needs the correct approach, which lacking at present

[Prof Michael Moriarty @prof_michael]

@oaedoel @afterprohibends @BBCPolitics @BoomtownFair very true Andy, this "testing" will just cause a false sense of security for the kids taking them - ignores the fact that even pure unadulterated doses can kill