Regulating New Psychoactive Substances: Science, Law and Policy

1 May 2014

Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm

This event is strictly by invitation only.

Jointly hosted by the Criminal Justice Centre, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London and DrugScience.

The appropriate regulation of New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) is a topic of pressing public and political concern in the United Kingdom and around the world, but how should this be achieved? Last year, New Zealand enacted the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, which is widely perceived as marking a major shift away from the paradigm of prohibition under the criminal law. However, there are alternative schemes.

The aim of this major one-day conference is:

• to provide a critical and objective analysis of the science and law relating to NPSs
• to identify facts and myths surrounding the distribution and use of NPSs
• to explore the values and public health ethics that should guide policy-makers in this arena
• to consider and discuss viable options for regulating (if at all) activities in connection with NPSs.

Speakers:

• Professor David Nutt (DrugScience)
• Dr John Ramsey (TicTac Communications)
• Dr Leslie King
• Professor Fiona Measham
• Professor Rudi Fortson QC (Queen Mary University of London)
• Professor Richard Ashcroft (Queen Mary University of London)
• Amber Marks (Queen Mary University of London)

There will be panel sessions with contributions from the floor.

Photography, video and audio recording

Please note that Department of Law events may be photographed or video and audio recorded. These materials will be used for internal and external promotional purposes only by Queen Mary University of London. If you object to appearing in the photographs, please let our photographer know on the day. Alternatively you can email lawevents@qmul.ac.uk in advance of the event that you are attending.