Arthur Shelby is a troubled soul. The Peaky Blinders character must live under his younger brother, Thomas Shelby’s shadow, and deal with often hard-to-watch, but somehow, relatable, acts of violence, towards both others and himself, self-medicated with drugs and Jesus. And based on recent headlines (in the real world), it appears that, at least for some of such, the actor who plays Arthur, Paul Anderson, opts for Method acting, which aims to foster genuine portrayals by immersing oneself in and embodying the internal motivations and emotions of a character. So, basically, acting like the character off screen as well as when the cameras are rolling. 

As The Guardian reports, Anderson has been fined for possession of drugs. These include crack cocaine, amphetamines, in addition to prescription substances, diazepam (Valium) and pregabalin. The incident occurred on Boxing Day, the party-fueled British holiday that is held the day after Christmas. His lawyer claims that the actor uses the drugs to break into character to please fans who recognize him. 

Where did Anderson land himself into trouble? At his local pub, of course, who contacted the coppers after the bar’s manager noticed “crack cocaine fumes coming from the disabled toilet after the actor walked out,” MailOnline reports. He was with a friend and his baby. 

On Thursday, the 48-year-old actor stood before Highbury Corner magistrates court, facing charges of possessing class A crack cocaine, class B amphetamines, and two types of class C prescription drugs. He admitted to all four counts, resulting in a total fine of £1,345.

Reports indicate that Anderson only spoke to acknowledge his pleas and to verify his identity and north-west London address.

Anderson’s attorney, addressing the court in mitigation, reportedly stated: “You will recognise the defendant from a very intense part that he has played in a recent television programme. He is often recognised and does his best to please fans of the show by slipping into character.

“He was recognised that Boxing Day and tried to play up for these people. And because of the lifestyle he leads people often give him inducements.” The lawyer further noted that Anderson had not been using crack cocaine, but conceded: “He has found himself in an unfortunate position and should have had the strength to say no.”

While this news is hard not to pass on for all the Peaky Blinders fans, there’s a lot to unpack that’s not so funny. First, turning to the U.S., if you want to get angry, remember that while cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, cocaine (even though the sentencing guidelines have historically been much harsher, as the result of laws that tend to lock up more poor than rich folks), is only a Schedule II. And, while we don’t know the exact details of how and when Anderson was using, any stimulant as strong as crack, for the sake of one’s health, should not be paired with amphetamines. 

Diazepam, the brand name of Valium, is a benzodiazepine. It’s in the same anti-anxiety drug class as pills such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan. When benzodiazepines hit the market in the 1960s, chemists thought they’d cured anxiety. However, as is becoming increasingly reported, unlike cannabis for anxiety, such medications are just too easy to develop a physical dependence on when used other than prescribed, which is as-needed, or on a short-term basis. 

While, if you want to take a tolerance break from cannabis, while you might miss it, one can just put down the herb and not think too much about it, with benzos, suddenly stopping them after continued use is no joke, like, comes with risks of seizures if not done correctly. As detailed in the Ashton Manuel, the bible for getting off of benzos, if one is weaning off something like Xanax or Klonopin, it’s actually recommended to switch to Valium and then slowly taper off as it’s less potent and has a longer half-life. As High Times reported, Sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions, which are already used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), may also help people through benzodiazepine withdrawal, new research published in Neuropsychopharmacology shows.

However, of the substances found, MailOnline reports that Anderson later tested positive for opiates and cocaine (not crack cocaine), the court heard, so while there’s possession charges, we have no idea of the actor’s personal use or medication schedule. But we’re on your side, Arthur Shelby. 

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In one of Europe’s most intolerant countries when it comes to drug laws, a massive drug operation was dismantled Thursday. It’s the latest move in a series of efforts to curb drug traffic and organized crime in the country.

Swedish police say that on December 1, forces seized around 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) of drugs in a city near Stockholm, with a total street value of about 80 million kronor or $7.6 million USD.

Police say that 260 kilograms (573 pounds)—the largest portion of drugs—was amphetamine, and the rest of the types of drugs were not specified.

In Tyreso, south of the Swedish capital Stockholm, three men were arrested on suspicion of serious drug offenses. Police also searched another house at a location in Tyreso where a massive trove of drugs was found in a storage room in an apartment building.

“This is a very large seizure,” Susanne Wikland, deputy chief in the Stockholm city police area, told The Associated Press. Wikland added that it was the result of “aggressive work over a longer period of time,” adding that drug traffic is “large and [expensive] serious organized crime.”

It follows a similar operation last month, when police in Stockholm detained 21 people and seized cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of between 50 and 100 million kronor, or $4.8 to $9.6 million USD.

Zero Tolerance for Drugs and Medical Cannabis in Sweden

This is bad news for the men involved, given Sweden’s particularly harsh stance on drugs: Transform Drug Policy Foundation reported that while cannabis and drug laws loosen in Europe—pretty much all around Sweden—the country maintains its zero tolerance policies. 

“… The degree to which Sweden’s low prevalence of drug use can be attributed to its repressive approach is highly questionable, as research consistently shows that wider social, economic and cultural factors are the key drivers of drug prevalence—not the harshness of enforcement,” Transform Drug Policy Foundation writes.

Some organizations believe Sweden’s zero tolerance policy increases harm. Traveling performers like Drake learned this the hard way. It’s a stark difference from neighboring Denmark, which has experimented in the past with innovations like drug consumption rooms.

The country also isn’t too keen on medical cannabis. A recent study conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden attacked “positive coverage of cannabis” despite what they call poor results. In the study, researchers claimed that medical cannabis was no better for pain relief than a placebo, and suggested that medical cannabis is a myth.

Sweden’s Zero Policy on Drugs Doesn’t Work

But is Sweden’s strict approach to drug use even working? That’s debatable. And moreover, blow is especially popular in the Nordic country.

A study released by national broadcaster SVT found that cocaine in Sweden, over the years, has become more common, cheaper, and more pure. Forbes reports that the number of drug busts in general has increased by almost 300 percent since 2012, mirroring a rise in the number of drug busts by customs. In 2018, Swedish customs seized 485 kg of cocaine, mostly via two major seizures of 298 kg and 98 kg.

The report also reveals the drug has led to more deaths. According to data from the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine, cocaine was said to be the cause of death in 20 cases compared to just one a few years ago.

Sweden’s zero tolerance approach on drugs might affect alcohol consumption as well. College students in Sweden also report heavier drinking than U.S. college students, where drug laws have been loosened often.

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