About Drug Science
Drug Science was formed by a committee of scientists with a passionate belief that the pursuit of knowledge should remain free of all political and commercial interest.
Our Story
Drug Science works to provide an evidence base free from political or commercial influence, creating the foundation for sensible and effective drug laws, and equipping the public, media and policy makers with the knowledge and resources to enact positive change.
Founded in 2010 by Professor David Nutt following his removal from his post as Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Drug Science is the only completely independent, science-led drugs charity, uniquely bringing together leading drugs experts from a wide range of specialisms to carry out ground-breaking research into drug harms and effects.
The Scientific Committee play a vital role in society, providing the public in the UK and internationally with high quality, scientifically based information on drugs and evidence-based comment and analysis of new research. Led by founder Professor David Nutt, the committee is made up of the UKs most accomplished, respected and authoritative individuals in science, academia and policy, united with a passionate belief that the pursuit of knowledge should remain free of all political and commercial interest.
Together, they work tirelessly to emphasise the role of science in the public discourse, providing information on the actual harms and benefits of various drugs, and challenging the myths that surround drug classification and legislation in the UK.
Drug Science’s mission is founded on their efforts, and their many hours of work delivering, reviewing and investigating scientific evidence relating to psychoactive drugs, with one single minded message – to tell the truth about drugs.
Our Mission
To provide an evidence base free from political or commercial influence, creating the foundation for sensible and effective drug laws. Equipping the public, media and policy makers with the knowledge and resources to enact positive change.
Our Vision
To see a world where drug control is rational and evidence-based; where drug use is better informed and people who use drugs are understood; where drugs are used to heal not harm.
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Drug Science, David is the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research, at Imperial College London. One of the world’s leading researchers on drugs, David continues to fight for evidence-based drug policies.
Prof David Nutt
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Long standing Head of Research and currently CEO of Drug Science, Anne is a Chartered Psychologist, with extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative drug research, especially medical cannabis and medical psychedelics. Anne holds honorary senior positions at both King’s College London and Imperial College London.
Dr Anne Katrin Schlag
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Michael is Chief Research Officer at Drug Science and has previously worked as an academic researcher in mental health and drug science in Australia, the US and UK. He is an epidemiologist and research methodologist and has extensive experience running studies including cross-sectional studies, prospective observational studies of general population and clinic samples, genetically informed and real world data.
Prof Michael Lynskey
Chief Research Officer
Mike is Chief Medical Officer at Drug Science, a consultant neurologist, as well as Founder Chair of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, Chair of the Cannabis Industry Council and Chair of Maple Tree Med Can Consultancy. A global medical cannabis expert, Mike has dedicated his career to the development of neurological rehabilitation and medical cannabis treatments and education.
Prof Mike Barnes
Chief Medical Officer
Executive Team
Operational Team
Head of Operations at Drug Science, James is our legal and regulatory consultant with experience in the UK, Canada, Australia, USA, Israel and various EU member states. James contributed to the development of the world’s largest psychedelic Real World Evidence project that utilises medical psilocybin products and is able to advise on law and regulatory pathways.
James Bunn
Head of Operations
Hannah is Senior Researcher at Drug Science. Hannah’s experience ranges across biochemistry, neuroscience, pre-clinical and clinical research, and she has led research on medical cannabis and psychedelics.
Dr Hannah Thurgur
Senior Research Officer
Alkyoni is Research Officer at Drug Science, where she is instrumental in data collection and analysis of Project Twenty21 (T21), the UK’s first medical cannabis registry. She is experienced in large scale project management, stakeholder communications as well as protocol development.
Alkyoni Athanasiou-Fragkouli
Research Officer
Honorary Research & Volunteer Team
Anna Ross
Honorary Research Assistant
Jacob Aday
Honorary Research Assistant
Sally Turner
Honorary Research Assistant
Ewan Fawcett
Social Media Assistant
Harry Levin
Social Media Assistant