University of Virginia Library

Buckman Advises Students
On Effects Of Drug Use

By Jeff Rice

John Buckman, associate professor of
Psychiatry at the University, advised a
standing room crowd of the effects and
hazards of drug use at a lecture held in
the South Meeting Room of Newcomb
Hall last night.

Dr. Buckman, one of the few people
in the United States who is licensed to
use L.S.D. in research, was involved in
similar research in England before coming
to the University.

In his talk, which was mainly an informative
lecture, he divided drugs into three categories,
with mention of two other possible divisions.
With the preface that alcohol continues "as the
number one drug of addiction," he separated
drugs into the narcotics, the hallucinogens, and
the amphetamines.

In his closing remarks he also referred to the
inhalants, which he classified as anything
vaporous which warps the input of information
to the central nervous system.

Covering each group as a separate category,
Dr. Buckman reviewed the laws concerning the
different drugs, their physical effects, and the
social implications of their use.

When quizzed on the safety of using any of
the various drugs, Dr. Buckman emphasized
that for any of them the reaction was
dependent not only on the type of drug, but on
the person using it as well as the environment at
the time of use.

His review of narcotics centered mainly on
heroin, which he described as a drive suppressor
which leads to an eventual state of oblivion.
Persons cited as the main users of heroin were
the poor in the large cities, with half of all
heroin addicts residing in New York City. He
stated further that half of all major crime in
New York is heroin related.

The main emphasis of the lecture was on the
group classed as hallucinogens, into which Dr.
Buckman placed marijuana along with L.S.D.
and mescaline. Legally, marijuana is classed as a
narcotic under the Harrison Act.

During the discussion period following the
lecture, Dr. Buckman said he felt that the
marijuana statutes should be revamped. "The
most significant physical side effect of smoking
is that you go to jail," he stated. Although
marijuana and L.S.D. were placed at opposite
extremes of the hallucinogenic class, both were
described as having the same biological effect.
Dr. Buckman expressed this effect as "a
disruption of the central nervous system" and
"an opening of the flood gates to the brain."

In discussing L.S.D. in particular, he stated
that acid is "150,000 times more powerful by
weight than marijuana." Acid was described
mainly as a drug affecting the inner mind and
aiding fantasy formation. Dr. Buckman said in
his opening consideration of the drug that
"L.S.D. at present is probably the strongest
drug known to man."

Due to the unexpected size of the turnout,
Dr. Buckman will repeat his lecture at a later
time.

Photo By Bob Ware

John Buckman Clarifies Point Concerning Drug Use For Overflow Crowd.

Informative Speech Stressed Effects, Hazards Of Prolonged Use Of Narcotics.