Some people are irreplaceable - Dr John Ramsey
Written by Prof Adam Winstock
Some people are irreplaceable. I lost a dear friend recently. A gentleman, a font of knowledge and wisdom. Dr John Ramsey was one of the kindest, brightest and most generous people I have ever met. For 30 years he was there to educate, challenge and support me and so many others. An internationally renowned analytical toxicologist who set TICTAC Communications Ltd St George’s Trevor Shine Anca Frinculescu he was the first true drug toxicology expert in the UK. From advising governments and the FBI, being at Glastonbury doing drug testing before anyone knew, dismantling myths from fact and unravelling the compositions of endless novel psychoactive compounds from their appearance in the mid 2000s, he was a brilliant man.
Without ego or judgment he shared his knowledge and nurtured and inspired so many people.
A random question on drugs? Ask John.
Question on drug detection using infra-red, GCMS? Ask John.
Production and drug use and stories from the 1960s and 1970s? Ask John.
Need to get some pictures of drugs? Ask John.
Want to enjoy a beer in the City? Ask John and David MacKintosh I learned so much. John's passions were myriad. Walking in the hills, his awesome eco-house, 3D printing spider traps, driving his custom-made RAF green 3-wheel Morgan. He and Lindsey were wonderful hosts. I can’t believe he won’t be on the end of the phone when I have a random question. I miss him greatly as will so many others.
Thanks John for 30 years of friendship, good humour, life lessons and kindness.
Written by Prof Adam Winstock for Dr John Ramsey
"On behalf of the Drug Science Team, we are incredibly sad to lose one of the founding members of our Scientific Committee. John Ramsey was a great source of support and encouragement for the first decade of the charity. We echo Adam’s words that his knowledge, wisdom and kindness will be sorely missed by all. Thank you, John, for all that you have done for Drug Science- and UK drug policy,"
Written by Prof David Nutt