Examination of Witnesses (Questions 280
- 283)
TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2009
MR PAUL
HAYES, MR
JOHN JOLLY
AND DR
NEIL BRENER
Q280 Mr Streeter: Thank you very
much. Mr Hayes, can I ask you a quick question about the likelihood
of a pharmacological treatment being developed for cocaine use.
What can you tell us about that; is that on the cards?
Mr Hayes: I understand that it
is being investigated, particularly in the US, and I suspect Professor
Nutt will have more to say about that.
Q281 Mr Streeter: We will ask him.
Mr Hayes: What we need to focus
on is that even if we do it will not be the magic bullet.
Dr Brener: Absolutely.
Mr Hayes: In exactly the same
way that methadone is a very useful part of treatment for heroin
users, it is not the total answer. In exactly the same way we
need to be careful that if we do find a parallel for powder cocaine
we do not actually forget that people also need to change their
behaviour. Being maintained on substitute medication is part of
the treatment but it is not the end point of treatment.
Q282 Mr Streeter: Mr Jolly and Dr
Brener, you appear to agree with that wholeheartedly.
Mr Jolly: Yes.
Dr Brener: Absolutely.
Mr Streeter: The final question for this
group of witnesses is from James Clappison.
Q283 Mr Clappison: Dr Brener, a few
moments ago you told us about the different backgrounds of people
who came to The Priory and a lot were people from the City and
financial worlds, but it is well-known that you deal with a number
of celebrities. Without asking about individuals I wonder if you
have any reflections to share with us about the incidence of cocaine
use in celebrity culture or not.
Dr Brener: Yes, the celebrity
culture certainly very much revolved around being in environments
where cocaine was used and certainly in that area and those fields
there is a lot of cocaine used. The question is often asked whether
celebrity culture influences society in the use of cocaine. For
a true addict they do not need any excuse, they will use what
they want, what they can get their hands on and what is available;
availability and price is a very significant factor. The question
that I think is more interesting is whether it entices people
who have, shall we say, a predisposition to maybe using substances,
being an addict, to choose that as their method, their drug of
choice. Certainly I think that people who are in the media have
a responsibility and can influence people; therefore the celebrity
culture might not lead people to use but might lead them to use
a certain type of drug. That certainly can be an influence.
Mr Streeter: Thank you very much indeed,
Mr Jolly, Dr Brener and Mr Hayes, for your expert evidence; we
are very grateful to you. We will call our next witnesses to the
dais if we may.
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