There kidding themselves, Cocaine is expensive from the cheapest dealer, the more pure you want it the more it costs so how can the NHS make clean and genuine cocaine for less than a quid including shipping, distributing and cutting etc etc...........simple they cant.

Yes they do and some may say they pay their way through the taxation placed on those items. Whereas other drug addictions do not.

Therein lies the difference between socially acceptable drugs and illegal substances.

What I read in the newspapers and see on TV. I don't make a habit of sitting in the public gallery.

Are you going to defend MPs in light of recent (and not so recent) events?

How much of the money raised through taxation of these products goes to the NHS?

What percentage of the bill for treatment of smoking and alcohol related illness and injury does this cover?

Serious question because I don't know the answers but I assume you saying that they are paying their way you know the figures!

To be honest I doubt they are and I bet actual figures would never be available. I was just making the point, not that I would agree with it.

Personally I think both alcohol and cigarettes should be more tightly controlled.

Hear hear. I would add to that elective cosmetic surgery, vasectomies etc ect.

One thing's for certain, go into any A & E on a Friday/Saturday night and there are far more alcohol related incidents than drug related...



The fact is the UK's present drug policy isn't working....Though legalising isn't something I'd fully condone, it can't be any worse than the present situation.

I agree...Add hearing aids and help for the visually impaired...those money wasters should just be glad they are alive...

That is not my point and you know it!

The problem is sometimes things like cosmetic surgery can help with much deeper routed problems that someone may have so has to be taken on a case by case basis imo.

I had cosmetic surgery aged 10 (ears pinned back) and the aesthetic benefits of it were only one of the reasons I decided to have it done - the effect that the "elephant ears" was having on me as a person was a much bigger reason for it. As a child I had no confidence at all due to it and as I was getting older and more and more aware of the "problem" and other children (and adults) were also becoming aware and bullying due to it and the decision to have them pinned back really did have a massive very positive impact upon my whole life at the time.

And then of course there are also cases where cosmetic surgery is required for medical reasons (ie breast reductions)

I don't agree with "I want bigger breasts" type surgery on the NHS (but that rarely happens anyway) but if there is a medical (physical or mental) reason for it then I don't see a problem with it.

Hang on... why stop vasectomies on the NHS; surely stopping people from having children they don't really want and would be burden on the tax payer would surely make sense?

The point is, like all true right wingers, if something doesn't fit into your 'ideal' then it can go and clear off.

Just because something doesn't fit into the category of what you consider a true illness, doesn't mean it doesn't need help....We really have come full circle here, back to the true BNP notion, and that is if something doesn't fit their own perceived criteria then it will be persecuted...

Birth control medication is currently free on the NHS.

Not suitable for everyone though, and as a long term solution then a vasectomy or sterilisation are going to be much more effective methods.

i had it done too 'bat ears' is the correct term.
i had it done when i was 17 on the NHS at Leigh Infirmary , improved my confidence 200% i even started 'getting some'.

I know, but my nickname at school became dumbo so "elephant ears" sort of stuck



I am so glad I had it done, and had it done when I was relatively young - certainly one of the better decisions I have made!

my unofficial nickname was 'taxi',
F@*£ing hated it.

i have a little indent on my right ear but would recommend it to anyone.
Sleeping was a pain though.
Were your ears super sensitive for about a year?

Come on get your calculator, surely one vasectomy must be cheaper than a lifetime of contraception.

I thought you had a grasp of finance and economics?

Anyway, back to the NHS: I haven't seen one solution here that will sort out that £15bn shortfall.

took about 6 months for mine to stop being sensitive I think, now other than the bandages and pain at the time its all a bit of a blur with it being 15 years ago!

Got to love Doctor speak too

"you will experience mild discomfort when the anaesthetic wears off"

translates in real terms to 'like being shot in the head'

The problem is I dont think there is an easy solution, and I certainly don't think removing treatment for certain conditions is the answer.

Its a problem that needs to be looked at from top down imo, start with the management levels and I am sure a lot of wastage could be removed!

Was this aimed at me particularily?

I was putting forward the argument for treating drug addicts etc. FWIW I've also got no problem with elective cosmetic surgery required for diagnosed physiological and psychological issues where the persons health and well being are suffering. I just don't think the NHS should pay for non-essential life style type surgery or treatment. ie) apronectomies/gastric band for the obese.

Again, low taxation, pro choice, small state, big individual, secular, meritocratic and deterministic. Make the first rung of the ladder in reach of all people. Up to them if they want to climb.

Ironically the managers were brought in during the 80's to address the wastage :-S

You aren't a doctor are you??...





Unfortunately, I hate to infrom you that to be obese is not always a choice...there are circumstances where a person's medical condition can affect this condition.

I respect your political stance, however, you come across as a Thatcherite dinosaur still living in the 80's....With this in mind, I'm pretty sure there is a position in the BNP awaiting you as we speak...

when it comes to apronectomies/gastric band there must be very few people that have a condition that stretchs the skin that they would require an apronectomy and a gastric band is purely to stop people over eating.