Ecstasy v. horseriding

No, sorry, the logic of this opinion of the aptly named Professor Nutt is passing me by. Apart from his conviction that Ecstasy should be downgraded from class A to class B, which is another issue, I am struggling to understand how riding a horse, a healthy, outdoor pastime for the most part, can be compared with deliberately ingesting a drug which will cause harmful chemical changes in the brain, some of which are likely to be long term. Certainly riding a horse can, occasionally result in physical harm if the horse decides to bolt or refuse a fence, but the object of the exercise is to enjoy some healthy physical activity, whereas taking Ecstasy can in no way be excused by the aim of becoming healthier and fitter.
As David Raynes of the National Drug Prevention Alliance comments, if his personal view conflicts so strongly with his professional position, he should 'consider his position' or someone should do it for him.


4 comments:

Arthur Clewley said...

I find taking ecstasy just before going for a horse ride to be the ideal compromise jenny, although it does confuse things for the stats if I fall off

I could well believe that more money is spent saving people from healty outdoor pursuits than popping the occasional pill though - as some of our fell rescue teams would probably attest given their last week's call outs

Jennytc said...

Better not do it, then, Arthur. We don't want to upset the statistics do we?

Anonymous said...

I saw this idiot on TV propounding his unbelievable 'logic'. Yeah, sure, you can injure yourself riding. Or running for a bus, or driving to the shops, or - here's a thought - giving birth. So the human race should perhaps give due thought to the notion that we'd all be better off ingesting recreational drugs than fulfilling the most basic of human behaviours. After all, once everyone is dead (having produced no new humans in their lifetime) no harm can possibly come to anyone!!

Perfect solution. Give the man a peanut.

Jennytc said...

I think you've cracked it, Jay! :)

Plaster board and dust

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