SO psilocybin “....proves success in cutting people’s mental torment” (Drug from magic mushrooms may help treat depression, The National, May 17). Similar positive results have been found in trials of MDMA (ecstasy) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and LSD (acid) for other psychiatric illnesses. However further research and development for clinical use is constrained by their illegality. The source of this classification, of course is discredited former US president Richard Nixon’s futile, 40-year, “War on Drugs”.”War on Mental Health Treatment” would be a more appropriate description.

Archie McArthur, Edinburgh

I WAS disappointed to read about the difficulties of researching psilocybin for untreatable depression following the study by Dr Robin Carhart-Harris. I too lament the “Kafkaesque” restrictions and cost. This comes, not from compassion, common sense or science, but from a moralising establishment who think that because commoners take substances “recreationally” that they must control them. This isn’t just backwards, it’s cruel and unnecessary.

Samantha Black, Glasgow

BOTH Jonny Lawson and Graeme Strachan are right to tease out some of the complexities in Sainsbury’s shameful attempt to elicit free labour to jazz up their staff canteen (Letters, May 17).

Neither, however, draws out the class dynamic whereby workfare in the creative industries, dressed up as “exposure”, and internships effectively function as class gates restricting through passage to only those who can afford to accept unpaid work. Such a system ensures the reproduction of a privileged applicant pool. So how can this deliberate management of class be challenged?

One part of the solution would be to introduce a Citizen’s Income or Universal Basic Income. A Citizen’s Income would allow working-class artists the freedom and security to develop their practice without either working in soul-destroying jobs that dull their creative sparkle or wasting their day in the equally soul-destroying task of filling in application forms with the hope of gaining little more than precarious employment.

But it’s not just the creativity of artists that a Citizen’s Income has the potential to benefit. By reconceptualizing our relation to alienated labour those people who had no option but to become full-time workers and who have had their creativity beaten or ground out of them would also benefit. It would give the over-worked the freedom to gain some control over time. Given control over time in our lives our creativity might then be developed in terms of citizenship; redefining our relations with our friends, families, and our communities.

Basic Income pilots are already at various stages of development in various countries including Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands.

There is a referendum to introduce a Basic Income in Switzerland in early June, although the city of Lausanne has decided to implement one irrespective of the result. If another Scotland is possible it must be made possible by each and every one of us. A Scottish Citizen’s Income would not only go some way to making another Scotland, it would also create some of the time and space that is needed to make it possible.

Graeme Arnott, Netherlee

IT was good to see the response in The National regarding our hard-working Scottish Secretary of State’s latest attempts at being the focus of media attention. A range of people responded, including the Ginger Dug, to counter the soundbites delivered on behalf of Cameron, who never seems to come to Scotland to deliver his own messages (Wee Ginger Dug: Maths star Fluffy finds one MP adds up to a majority, The National, May 18).

However, a couple of points not made in the broad responses should not be overlooked.

Mundell is paid a lot of money to represent Scotland at Westminster, not just the other way round. The first thing he should try to resolve is the bickering in his own party, his regular round table cabinet meetings should present him with ideal opportunity to facilitate this.

There is a greater threat to the Scottish economy and living standards from this EU debacle than anything else that takes place in up here at present.

Secondly, before the election took place there was much talk of the threat to the Frigate contract for the Clyde but all this seems to have vaporized.

The buffalo soldier that is Ruth, was challenged to go into the shipyards and look the workers in the eye and explain the delay as to why no steel was being cut. She has done nothing since, maybe it was not such a good photo opportunity?

Oh I get it, this is a not a devolved issue, right then Fluffy, over to you.

The next time you come home to say something that you or the PM thinks will be of interest to us, stop by the shipyards and take the Frigate challenge, that is what you are paid for and this should be your priority. Scotland’s interests, it is in the job description.

Des McFarlane, Address supplied

HAS anyone noticed Mundell’s new hirsute look makes him akin to Peppa Pig’s father? Is this the start of another Piggate?

Gary Wallace, Glasgow

THE Wee Ginger Dug as usual hits the nail on the head over Fluffy Mundell.

I watched Mundell on Scottish Questions in parliament last week allowing it to be hijacked by EVEL MPs and thought what he really needs to grow, comes in pairs.

We got no help from him and his EVEL collegiate colleagues to fund the Borders Railway and all of a sudden he thinks it would be a great idea to connect it up with Carlisle. The Scottish Government should not put a further penny into such a project. If England want this, then they can pay this time.

He might be happy being a part of the British parliament but can’t seriously expect the Scottish Government to respect an institution where EVEL people come out of a bar last thing at night to vote down matters concerning Scotland despite taking no part whatsoever in the debate.

He may not realise just how inconsequential we all find him, but he must know that he is not holding his position because of his ability and it’s only because he is last man standing.

He would do well to remember also that he has a wafer-thin majority. We didn’t get you last time but we’ll get you next time Davie boy. Your incompetence and patronising attitude will soon catch up with you.

Steve Cunningham, Aberdeen