Drugs on Radio 4

Two consecutive programmes on Radio 4 today about legal drugs.

On "Thinking Aloud" Laurie Taylor was discussing qat with a Somali friend - which I have done too. It's legal and it can get you high - if you chew for about 20 minutes. My friend doesn't indulge, but Laurie's does and described the effect. It is illegal elsewhere in the world (like Canada) but there's no pressure to make it so here. However, I think I'll pass.

The other programme was much more scary. "Am I Normal?" was about alcohol. And it said that normal is not a good guide, in this case, as normal in Britain means you are probably damaging your liver. The presenter thought that the majority/typical (of) Radio 4 listener(s) probably drinks too much - 2 glasses of wine a night qualifies, and pub measures of wines are large - and is unaware that they are doing so. Sobering stuff, literally.

An obvious conclusion - Radio 4 listeners should drink less alcohol and chew more qat. Wow.

Both programmes available online. You must hear the second one. Especially if you think it doesn't apply to you.

Here's the link to the Radio 4 Listen Again page where the programmes are easy to find - so long as you're sharp. You can even email them to a friend, if you think anyone needs to hear it.