Raise cigarette prices.

Well, apart from the fact that they claim ' a new survey shows' we are given absolutely no information about who carried out the research, the methodology sample size, or even where or when the survey took place. Could have been a quick survey of doctors in a pub or rehab facility, which would rather skew the figures.

They also say 1 in 6 doctors HAS BEEN hooked on alcohol or drugs. Not that 1 in 6 is now currently hooked on drugs or alcohol, that would be 16%. As the phrase used suggests 'has been but is not now' and a doctor will expect to be practicing for 40 years I stick with my 5 - 10%.

DD works in the media industry, which has a reputation for drug use and she says that while she knows people who do take drugs the majority do not.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1277955/Special-Investigation-Why-ARE-doctors-addicted-drink-drugs.html

I think there is plenty of evidence that the stronger types of cannabis now being smoked are addictive and a significant number of regular cannabis users end up with mental health problems.

I also do not think that 'many' people in any profession whether in medicine, finance or the media are regular users of cocaine and associated drugs for either recreational or work purposes. Certainly there are high profile groups of people found using them and there have always been medical staff who become addicted to drugs they can more readily access than other people but I would be surprised of overall it was much higher than 5 to 10%.

Greatnan ....I have had a great deal of experience professionally, working with both young and elderly drug users. I'm no doubt not making myself clear in the post. I most certainly do not class all drug users as criminals and murderers. I was responding to a previous post about smokers. My daughter is a senior nurse adviser/liaison NHS for drug and alcohol related illnesses at the hospital in the city.....my career must have rubbed of on her as she was growing up......too much to for this page......have seen it all

@lynn - As enviousamerican says, my point is that cannabis is not addictive, so is not 'needed' - it's just enjoyable. Or that's how I remember it...

I believe that many medical professionals - doctors, anaesthetists, dentists, etc. become addicted because of the pressure of their jobs and easy availability.

I am aware of a mental health team where the professionals were using expired medication for recreational use. They were dealing it amongst themselves. I'm sure they weren't unique. I can't say any more for obvious reasons. Probably shouldn't have said that much.

Anonymous surveys of professional groups show high proportions taking recreational drugs like cocaine, and substantial numbers using heroin and cannabis to the extent that they describe themseves as having a habit they are strugglng to break. Many of us woud show positive in drug tests for substances that are addictive. It's a question of having the means to buy drugs and/or whether a GP helps the person manage their addiction. There are people in their 70s on methadone maintenance, who have been controlling their addiction to substances for years.

I agree with Greatnan. Not all drug addicts are thieves and murderers. There are many respectable people holding down responsible jobs who 'manage' their addiction to a greater or lesser extent. That is not to say that it doesn't affect their lives but I'm not sure that in these cases it has any worse effects than cigarettes or alcohol. They all affect the lives of the users and those who live with them. Smoking is unique in that it affects all of us who have to breathe in the stuff.

I do believe it was those very adverts that finally pushed my son into giving up smoking Greatnan so they do get through and make their point. Surely the thought of your own children breathing in those invisible toxins is enough to make even a hardened tobacco addict (which he was) think again.

Lynne - please do not class all drug addicted people as murderers, thieves, etc. My daughter became addicted to codeine when she was given it in hospital when she was in agony following a botched operation. The biggest category of addicts are hooked on prescribed drugs, doled by doctors in the form of tranquillisers. You seem to have a very limited view of addicts - how many have you known, apart from smokers?
And I am afraid many smokers are harming others - have you seen the new adverts about how much of smoke is not visible? I very much welcomed the ban on smoking in enclosed, public places -why should I have to breathe air which is polluted by somebody else's habit, and have my clothes permeated with the noxious smell?
When anybody is challenged on any form of addiction, including smoking, the response is usually one of denial, anger, or counter-accusation.

I believe cannabis is psychologically addictive - users crave the sense of well-being it gives them.

vegas

lynne I don't think Fettle said cannabis was needed.

feetlebaum...so why the need for cannabis if you're saying it's the tobacco they're addicted to

Nonu

I tend to find most people hide around the corner smoking in Birmingham and Erdington.
Probably people are richer in Erdington and can afford cigarettes.

Frank

@lynne - cannabis isn't addictive. In this country, however, it is usual to mix it with tobacco - which is.

Well Andie and my daughters think I am an ordinary person.
My daughters assured me that stacks of men did Bums and Tums in Sutton Coldfield.
I think they must have disappeared just before I came up from London.

Frank

The use of a small pocket periscope Frank would enable you to see round corners. This might be a good investment for the sake of your health.

Stone the crows Frank, I didn"t think people hid round corners in Sutton Coldfield .

I had them down as people who strutted their stuff . How times change eh !

Ordinary???

vegasmags

Smokers tend to hide around corners so you do not always see them in time.
That is why I say smoking should only be allowed well away from ordinary people like me.

Frank

It's a Frankcentric world again!

Well Frank the thing to do is obviously give smokers a wider berth, or hold your breath as you pass.

I suppose they're not supposed to drink alcohol, take sugar in their tea or eat 'unhealthy' foods either, Frank..?

I just don't know how people can smoke. When I pass close to a person smoking a cigarette it sets me off with bad coughing.
The same happens to my 2 daughters.
We have all been checked by the doctor / nurse and they can not find anything wrong with our health.
The doctor said this seems to happen to half the staff in the surgery. None of them smoke and the doctor has said none of them are ex smokers.
One of the nurses said it has not been proved medically but she is wondering if we are losing our resistance to smoke as we are in Smokey areas less and less.
My 2 daughters think it is bad when medical staff smoke as they are supposed to be setting an example.

Frank