NEWS: Daily Telegraph - 04/11/09 'Judge orders essay for drug punishment'

[jenkem]

I did a seminar presentation last semester on ecstasy... we could do one on whatever we wanted so I figured fuck it...

If it was me, unless I was up against serious consequences, I'd probably spit the truth, and I'd put weeks of work into it so it's rock solid. It'd definately include this paragraph (from my seminar):

Enough time has now passed for scientists to evaluate the long term effects of ecstasy usage. A recent review by the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs analysed a huge amount of ecstasy data, combining several studies. It concluded that ecstasy users, even those who used the drug only once, experience learning and memory deficits, as well as mild depression, in the long run. However, it described these differences as “subtle” and nothing that would affect the typical person in their day to day life, and thus recommended that MDMA’s legal status be revised downwards in the UK. A prior UK study also ranked ecstasy as 18th out of the 20 most harmful psychoactive substances, based on long- and short-term harm to users, as well as harms to society. This was well beyond the 5th and 9th rankings given to alcohol and tobacco, respectively. Studies such as these raise the question as to why ecstasy remains illegal. This can mainly be put down to the way drugs are viewed morally by society, as well as the harms that may result from ecstasy being made legal, specifically, the risk of MDMA being perceived as safe due to its legality.

Refs:
Nutt, D., King, L.A., Saulsbury, W. & Blakemore, C. 2007 ‘Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse,’ The Lancet, Vol. 369, Iss. 9566, pp. 1047 - 1053
UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs 2008, MDMA (‘ecstasy’): A review of its harms and classification under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. ACMD, London.

I'd also spend pages analysing how most of the harms resulting from ecstasy use are due to its illegality, and how the benefits of legalisation would outweight the costs.

 

[hyroller]

fuck. classic. I'd love to be prescribed an essay instead of a record.

 

[psytaco]

I say good on the judge. In her own way, she is been very lenient. As much as i disagree with prohibition, the essay is a much better alternative than a criminal record. I echo what one of the other posters said, she is trying to educate this guy to the harms of ecstacy so he'll either stop using, or use more responsibily (although I imagine she wants him to stop using).

If I had to write the essay, you better believe i would write what she wants to her. I would rather sacrifice my point of view, instead of having all the baggage that goes with a criminal record for the drug possession.

As a very highly educated person, I'm sure she would appreciated a well -researched, and referenced essay that would put forward the positives of MDMA use. However, as a judge, whose job is to uphold the law, and put forward disincentives for breaking the law, she would have to advocate an essay that is anti-drug use. I'm sure many people in her position do not believe drugs should be illegal, simply because policing them is a waste of the criminal justice systems resources. Problem is they wouldn't say that to the press.

 

[Oldrolla]

Like DM said above. This is a "no brainer". Why would you risk possibly having a criminal conviction against your name for the rest of your life and all the disadvantages this brings. If you wanted to prove a point do two essays. One that slams MDMA and another that explains the truth about MDMA. Give the judge the anti MDMA paper first....get off the charge and then at a later time give her the truthful one.....

 

[jenkem]

I say good on the judge. In her own way, she is been very lenient. As much as i disagree with prohibition, the essay is a much better alternative than a criminal record. I echo what one of the other posters said, she is trying to educate this guy to the harms of ecstacy so he'll either stop using, or use more responsibily (although I imagine she wants him to stop using).

If I had to write the essay, you better believe i would write what she wants to her. I would rather sacrifice my point of view, instead of having all the baggage that goes with a criminal record for the drug possession.

As a very highly educated person, I'm sure she would appreciated a well -researched, and referenced essay that would put forward the positives of MDMA use. However, as a judge, whose job is to uphold the law, and put forward disincentives for breaking the law, she would have to advocate an essay that is anti-drug use. I'm sure many people in her position do not believe drugs should be illegal, simply because policing them is a waste of the criminal justice systems resources. Problem is they wouldn't say that to the press.

Unfortunately true. It wouldn't surprise me if a majority of the informed community would be fine with legalisation, and they're just hiding it from each other. lol

 

[Somewhat-damaged]

She didn't say "tell me why you should use it" she said to write an essay. We shouldn't assume that if he takes factual information to her that she will convict him, because her intent was for him to learn about it. She knows he will do it again, and I'm sure her intent was to make sure he does it safely next time.

 

[static_mind]

"I'm so sick of dealing with people with one, two, three or four ecstasy tablets on them," she said.

"If it wasn't for silly people like you paying good money for this trash, there wouldn't be a market for it."

Ms Gilmour said the drug was a huge cost to society and writing an assignment on the drug and its effects was the only way she knew how to make young people understand the dangers they are dabbling with.



I would love to see her write an essay on it and present it to the public.




After saying things like that id say its pretty fair to say shes anti-drug and when your risking conviction and what not its pretty dumb to say anything remotely pro-drug.

Make no mistake, she holds all the cards the stupid bitch. Not only is she wasting their time by making them write anti-drug essays that he will laugh about with his mates later on while eating more drugs, how much more of the courts time is she wasting and costing tax payers.

The system is poor enough with out her wasteing even more time on petty crap like this

 

[Green Laser]

I had to see some court drug counselor as a condition of my good behavior bond... He was going to make me write some description of essay. Can't remember what exactly, but then he decided I was good boy (LOL) and I didn't have to go back.

You can bet your ass I was going to write something completely sucking up but.

 

[gonzodoc]

I heard this news a little while ago on triple J and began thinking about the essay I would write if faced with such an awesome challenge. I came to the conclusion that if I was going to write a real essay I would spend ages on it, get quotes from drug workers and as many references as possible. Then I thought fuck it, why not write one. If it comes out ok I will post what I get here.

While doing some searching around for info I found this link, in answer to judges being biased. It is from 2002 so it is a little dated but I thought the kid made some good points and got shot down royally.

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n2215.a06.html

I am a little surprised that a judge would be so biased though. Surely those presenting to court for ecstasy would be almost solely for possession. I have heard of people getting violent on almost all drugs with the exception of weed and ecstasy, at least without serious other factors involved.

 

[chemi]

I heard this news a little while ago on triple J and began thinking about the essay I would write if faced with such an awesome challenge. I came to the conclusion that if I was going to write a real essay I would spend ages on it, get quotes from drug workers and as many references as possible. Then I thought fuck it, why not write one. If it comes out ok I will post what I get here.

While doing some searching around for info I found this link, in answer to judges being biased. It is from 2002 so it is a little dated but I thought the kid made some good points and got shot down royally.

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n2215.a06.html

I am a little surprised that a judge would be so biased though. Surely those presenting to court for ecstasy would be almost solely for possession. I have heard of people getting violent on almost all drugs with the exception of weed and ecstasy, at least without serious other factors involved.

Nice find, just had a read. Good on this kid for doing what he did. No surprises the judge responded in that way... brainwashed idiots that they are.

 

[belarki]

^ yeh it's hardly surprising. I wonder if the kid would have fared better if his essay was properly referenced with peer reviewed / published articles? Somehow I doubt it... the judge probably wanted a spiel on how MDMA is cooked by neo-Nazi Satan worshippers, fries your brain and steals your soul rather than any kind of objective research.

 

[chemi]

"You will redo this, and you will do it properly. I want you, at the end of this research, to understand why ecstasy is bad. I want you to be an expert on the topic."

There's just so many things I want to say about that sentence I can't even begin.

 

[static_mind]

See I see that judge as being no different then a religous fanatic damning a alchimest in the middle ages for suggesting that the sun spins around the Earth. One baises their opinion around science and fact
One believes in fiction.


Sigh* and to think in this day and age peoples believes still hold more weight then science. After all science has done for the world.

 

[phase_dancer]

I think this is a great idea.

I'd doubt very much science would be excluded, regardless of what was referenced. IMO there's no reason a good writer couldn't get both points across, and still get full marks.

 

[chemi]

I think this is a great idea.

I'd doubt very much science would be excluded, regardless of what was referenced. IMO there's no reason a good writer couldn't get both points across, and still get full marks.

This is right on the mark. She doesn't want an essay, she wants propaganda.

 

[gonzodoc]

the judge probably wanted a spiel on how MDMA is cooked by neo-Nazi Satan worshippers, fries your brain and steals your soul rather than any kind of objective research.

/agree

I also love the idea of "write what I want you to write or get sent to prison." Not the way to get anything sincere out of people, just another example of someone who knows fuck all about something pushing their ignorance on others with force.

 

[static_mind]

I'd doubt very much science would be excluded, regardless of what was referenced. IMO there's no reason a good writer couldn't get both points across, and still get full marks.

Did you read the link posted by gonzodoc? I know its from the US but the points the same. The kid wrote a fact and science based essay and was punished for it.

 

[MazDan]

Thought you might all be interested to know that this judge is not the first to use essays as a means of trying to educate users.

Its been done before in the States with interesting results.............. http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?t=377699

I would also be very interested in what the results would be if an unbiased paper were submitted.

 

[phase_dancer]

Did you read the link posted by gonzodoc? I know its from the US but the points the same. The kid wrote a fact and science based essay and was punished for it.

Yes, I read it. Look, the first consideration when doing any essay on any subject you want to pass is to fulfill the requirements. In this case it's to present the negative side of Ecstasy. This shouldn't be seen as an opportunity to present a positive view, as it clearly isn't intended to be so.

So what if the writers have to display a knowledge of the dangers of MDMA, or of the manufacture of it? To me, that would at least demonstrate that the person is aware of the risks with taking an illicit drug, produced in less than optimum environments with no QC stds. If the writers of such essays re-offend, then at least they have hopefully shown that they are aware of these dangers. That's as close to a demonstrable informed choice as it gets.

And being before the court, at least these people have a choice, which for most would probably be a more worthwhile exercise than attending a drug diversion program - at least from the recidivism I've seen from young offenders. They might complete a diversion program, but many come away from it with next to nothing. This being their own work, they should be more likely to remember it.

Of course, as with any court appearance, you can always pitch your support for the drug, speak of bad laws or whatever. You might be slapped with contempt and a harsher penalty, but that's a choice every accused has.



I think this judge is taking the right step even if she appears heavy handed. And there's no way of telling from her comments just how informed she is on MDMA. She see's people from all walks of life, and many first time offenders, so any alternative that get's around having to convict young people should be applauded.

In responding to only the specifics the judge mentioned, I'd challenge anyone to write a truthful positive story. What can be said about the use of dangerous chemicals in unauthorised settings, toxic waste, or potential for affecting the health of nearby residents. Take a product produced in haste in low yields - and the corresponding likelihood of intentional adulteration, and there's not a lot good to say here.

 

[chemi]

Yes, I read it. Look, the first consideration when doing any essay on any subject you want to pass is to fulfill the requirements. In this case it's to present the negative side of Ecstasy. This shouldn't be seen as an opportunity to present a positive view, as it clearly isn't intended to be so.

So what if the writers have to display a knowledge of the dangers of MDMA, or of the manufacture of it? To me, that would at least demonstrate that the person is aware of the risks with taking an illicit drug, produced in less than optimum environments with no QC stds. If the writers of such essays re-offend, then at least they have hopefully shown that they are aware of these dangers. That's as close to a demonstrable informed choice as it gets.

And being before the court, at least these people have a choice, which for most would probably be a more worthwhile exercise than attending a drug diversion program - at least from the recidivism I've seen from young offenders. They might complete a diversion program, but many come away from it with next to nothing. This being their own work, they should be more likely to remember it.

Of course, as with any court appearance, you can always pitch your support for the drug, speak of bad laws or whatever. You might be slapped with contempt and a harsher penalty, but that's a choice every accused has.



I think this judge is taking the right step even if she appears heavy handed. And there's no way of telling from her comments just how informed she is on MDMA. She see's people from all walks of life, and many first time offenders, so any alternative that get's around having to convict young people should be applauded.

In responding to only the specifics the judge mentioned, I'd challenge anyone to write a truthful positive story. What can be said about the use of dangerous chemicals in unauthorised settings, toxic waste, or potential for affecting the health of nearby residents. Take a product produced in haste in low yields - and the corresponding likelihood of intentional adulteration, and there's not a lot good to say here.

A marvellous post as always PD. I must say I agree with you wholeheartedly. Did she specifically ask for an essay that outlines the negative of ecstasy though? Or was it allowed to be more broad?