Risky Substances and Dangerous Drug Policies - What is Freedom of Information Good For?
A letter from Health Minister, Dr. Lajos Molnár, has been made public. In it, he asks that the Pschyciatric and Neurological Professional Board revoke its previous opinion and issue a new, quality report.
The prelude to the letter was the HCLU’s much debated published work, „Risky Substances and Dangerous Drug Policies”, in which an answer was written to the Psychiatric and Neurological Professional Board’s opinion regarding the health hazards of drugs. In order to gain access to the document, almost a year of court proceedings were needed.
Besides gaining access to the public interest report, the HCLU’s goal was to provide the decisionmakers with scientific, differentiated and real facts on such serious social matters as the hazards and risks of psychoactive substances.
The HCLU considers it a great success that upon the request of the Psychiatric Professional Board, another deeper and more expert report was prepared by an independent expert.
As far as the HCLU knows, besides requesting a new opinion from the board, the department has initiated widespread discussion in the hopes of coming to a consensus on the health hazards of drugs.
To: Professor István Bitter
President
Psychiatric Professional Board
SE Psychiatric and Psychotherapy Clinic
Balassa st. 6.
Budapest
1083
Dear Mr. President,
I hereby inform you that the report prepared by the Psychiatric and Neurological Professional Board, upon the request of the previous heathcare minister on the health hazards of drugs, is unacceptable. It is my opinion that the standpoint is strongly objectionable professionally and it is unacceptable that it was prepared employing foreign expert reports, which, could even infringe copyright laws. Furthermore, I insist that in the future, professional circles handle this matter with due seriousness and with respect to its place in society.
Due to the above, I insist that the issued report be revoked immediately in writing and be disregarded. I also request the establishment of a new opinion befitting the social importance and holding the moral and professional substance of European norms.
Furthermore, it must be suitable for the establishment of a drug strategy worthy of the healthcare department.
Budapest, January 19th
Sincerely,
Dr. Lajos Molnár
Minister of Healthcare
