Alexander D A, Klein S
Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
J Postgrad Med. 2006 Apr-Jun;52(2):126-31.
Terrorism is not a new phenomenon, but, in the contemporary scene, it has established itself in a manner which commands the most serious attention of the authorities. Until relatively recently, the major threat has been through the medium of conventional weaponry and explosives. Their obvious convenience of use and accessibility guarantees that such methods will continue to represent a serious threat. However, over the last few years, terrorists have displayed an enthusiasm for higher levels of carnage, destruction and publicity. This trend leads inexorably to the conclusion that chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) methods will be pursued by terrorist organisations, particularly those which are well organised, are based on immutable ideological principles, and have significant financial backing. Whilst it is important that the authorities and the general public do not risk over-reacting to such a threat (otherwise, they will do the work of the terrorists for them), it would be equally ill-advised to seek comfort in denial. The reality of a CBRN event has to be accepted and, as a consequence, the authorities need to consider (and take seriously) how individuals and the community are likely to react thereto and to identify (and rehearse in a realistic climate) what steps would need to be taken to ameliorate the effects of such an event.
恐怖主义并非新现象，但在当代，它已以一种令当局最为严肃关注的方式确立了自身地位。直到相对较近的时期，主要威胁一直是通过常规武器和爆炸物来实施。它们明显的使用便利性和可获取性确保了此类手段将继续构成严重威胁。然而，在过去几年里，恐怖分子表现出对更高程度的大屠杀、破坏和关注度的热衷。这一趋势不可避免地导致这样一个结论，即恐怖组织，尤其是那些组织良好、基于不变的意识形态原则且有大量资金支持的恐怖组织，将会采用化学、生物、放射和核（CBRN）手段。虽然当局和公众不应过度反应而冒风险（否则，他们将为恐怖分子做他们的工作），但寻求否认中的安慰同样是不明智的。必须接受CBRN事件的现实，因此，当局需要考虑（并认真对待）个人和社区对此可能会有何种反应，并确定（并在现实环境中演练）需要采取哪些措施来减轻此类事件的影响。
