I could not believe the views expressed by Dr Brian Kidd, NHS Tayside lead clinician for substance misuse.
What on earth is he doing comparing, like the now-sacked UK Government’s chief drug adviser Professor Nutt, the death rates of horse riding and cannabis use? It is a ridiculous comparison. One is a healthy outdoor sport, one is a destructive drug habit. How can he say there is no detrimental physical side to using cannabis? What about brain damage and damage to the nervous system?
People used to think there were no problems with cannabis use, but for several years now it has been well documented there is a destructive effect on mental health.
People with depression find themselves feeling worse and those with psychotic tendencies have them exacerbated by the use of cannabis.
What is more, he completely omits any mention of the smoking aspect. Cannabis is smoked with tobacco, so what about the lung cancer risk?
Cannabis is also a gateway drug, leading to the use of other noxious substances. We live in a city where a primary school pupil told the court he smoked cannabis.
I don’t know what message Dr Kidd thinks he is sending out. He should look at the connection between various crimes and cannabis use.
Yes, it is true that alcohol wreaks havoc, but we in this country missed the boat in terms of legislation. The Government knows this and is trying not to let the same happen in the case of drugs.
An advisor is an advisor and it is not up to that person to throw a hissy fit when advice is not accepted. Ask the police and the judiciary for their views on the use of cannabis and I think the true picture of its destructive effect would emerge. — Realist.
Should remain Class B
I respond to the furore over the sacking of Professor D avid Nutt. Over my 34 years in HM Prison Service, I have seen what effects cannabis has had on young and older prisoners.
Most suffer no effects, but in my view at least 10% have suffered severe side effects and some were even sectioned.
Parkhurst Prison did have a unit which was the halfway house for Broadmoor, Park Lane and Rampton, and we did transfer a number of these inmates in the 70s and 80s. Some were treated and did return to Parkhurst, but were a shadow of themselves. It should remain a Class B drug. — D. Ramsay, Newport.
Scottish Government commended
Amongst all the furore about the sacking of Professor Nutt by the Home Secretary, it is worth noting that one of the most harmful drugs in his study is alcohol, much greater than some of the social drugs that people are concerned about.
We know that alcohol is a blight on our society and something needs to be done about it.
Up until now no government has actually had the courage to tackle this problem.
The Scottish Government is to be commended for taking it on. They know they are doing the right thing, even if it is unpopular in some quarters. — Political Connoisseur.
Renovate more old buildings
The renovation of the Tay Hotel is a move in the right direction for Dundee City Council.
Another listed hotel being left to fall into disrepair is the old Royal British Hotel (pictured above) at the top of Castle Street, which is a beautiful building, and let’s face it, Dundee needs beautiful hotels as more recent ones like the Apex and The Travel Inn are not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing out there.
Come on, Dundee City Council, let’s have this hotel renovated before it ends up being demolished. — Tele Reader.
Family parking bays also get misused
There seems to be a lot of fuss about people using the disabled bays when they are fit enough to use regular spaces, but what about family bays?
As a young mum to two-year-old twins and a four-year-old in quite a large car, it is almost impossible to get my children out safely in normal spaces. I often see people who do not have young children with them use these spaces.
I am also disabled, but don’t have a badge yet. I try not to use the disabled bays, but it’s just too much of a struggle to use the regular ones when there are no family ones left.
There are always plenty disabled bays left empty and never enough family spaces. Supermarkets should give us bigger bays, not just bigger stores.
I was left absolutely gobsmacked the other day when my mum had taken my kids to Tesco, Kingsway.
She waited for a space, but an old couple overtook and just parked in the space, after saying to the older man politely that she was waiting for that space he just shrugged and said, “Well there aren’t any disabled bays left”. It’s this attitude that causes a problem for families. — Annoyed.
Disabled taxi fare
I agree with the letter writer who said it is appalling a disabled person should be unable to get a taxi home after a night out.
It is also appalling that the disabled and elderly who have taxi cards cannot get a taxi on a rank because the council refuses to make it easier for all the taxis in Dundee to be part of the taxi card scheme.
Anyone who feels they have been refused a taxi because they are disabled should take a note of the number on the side of the taxi and report the matter to the council.
Also they should complain to the council about not being able to use their taxi card at a rank.
As a trade we need to get rid of people who discriminate against the disabled, and I also suggest the council does the same and addresses the taxi card situation.
The vast majority of Dundee taxi drivers do the job with manners and awareness and should not be blighted by the minority, who do not care about the passenger. — Taxi Driver.
Shelter work comes from Glasgow
Glass in bus shelters all over Dundee has been smashed and not replaced for weeks.
This is an unacceptable situation.
The company who has the contract for the cleaning and maintenance of Dundee shelters closed its Dundee depot in late August, and now does its Dundee work from a Glasgow depot, resulting in another four local redundancies.
Surely Dundee bus shelter maintenance should be done from a Dundee depot, so that it can be done quickly and safely? — Former Bus Shelter Maintainer.
Horror at dog attack
While sitting in my vet’s surgery last week I was shocked to talk to a woman who was distressed. She told me her Yorkie dog was viciously attacked by a Staffie.
It had been let off its lead and egged on by its owners (two youths), who then fled the scene leaving the woman and her dog in shock and her dog injured.
Stronger measures need to be brought in to prevent this from happening. These attacks happen too frequently.
Dog owners must be held responsible for their dog’s actions.
I can’t understand the mindset of someone who would allow their pet to attack another.
I wish the woman and her Yorkie a full recovery with no lasting effects. — Well Wisher, Dundee.
Fiddlers’ rally
Dundee Strathspey and Reel Society is hosting a Charity Fiddlers’ Rally in the Caird Hall, Dundee, on Saturday, November 28, at 7pm.
Special guests are Collette Ruddy, soprano, Paul Anderson, fiddler, and the Sandra Wright Dancers. All proceeds to Order Of St John.
Tickets are £12 and £10 concession and are available from the Caird Hall Box Office, City Square, Dundee. — Alana Gowans, Secretary.
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