But what Nutt should really be remembered, and celebrated, for is his refusal to be driven to knee-jerk comment and reaction.
He based his considerations of the harms caused by the misuse of different substances on evidence, and even debated those harms in relation to other harms that are widespread in society.
We have had protracted debates about the dangers of cannabis and ecstasy. Now there is a sudden debate about mephedrone following the death of two young men. There have been calls for its immediate criminalisation. This is a natural, but both irresponsible and inappropriate, response.
It is irresponsible because, despite the tragedy, society has to ensure that it does not make policy on the back of exceptional high-profile cases.
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