Lord Dick Taverne (1928-2025)

We are very sad to hear of last week’s passing of Lord Dick Taverne.

Dick had a very keen interest in science, so in addition to his illustrious political career, he founded the pressure group Sense About Science in 2002. In line with Drug Science’s ethos, he campaigned tirelessly for sound science and evidence-based policy making, aiming to make the world a better, more evidence-based place.

When Drug Science was first established in 2010, Dick was the first Patron of the charity. He remained a tireless supporter and friend over the years that followed. He championed our work, illustrated clearly in his 2010 New Scientist publication, which is at least as relevant today as it was 15 years ago.

Dick's optimism was uniquely refreshing in a field that can often be notoriously resistant to change. He captures that spirit in the following words:

“It may take time, but in a democracy those who base their case on strong evidence and are prepared to argue for it with conviction are likely to prevail in the end. A sensible policy on the use of drugs is not a hopeless cause.” Lord Dick Taverne