STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
‘ We don ’ t let people walk through darkness alone .’
UPFRONT
Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd , Romney House , School Road , Ashford , Kent TN27 0LT t : 0845 299 3429
Editor : Claire Brown e : claire @ cjwellings . com
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IN THIS ISSUE
6
ON THE COVER – tackling tobacco
10
Making
progress on stigma
The road to recovery
18
INSIDE
4 NEWS Steep rise in young people in treatment ; launch of new drug testing facility
8 WELLBEING Welcoming spaces
12 ADVOCACY Challenging rough treatment with Release
14 60 YEARS Turning Point looks back at its history and to future priorities
16 LETTERS & COMMENT Your feedback ; and showing support for DULF
Prison careers
20
STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
‘ We don ’ t let people walk through darkness alone .’
Bel from WithYou – see our partner updates , www . drinkanddrugsnews . com
DDN is a self-funded independent publication . Our bespoke partnership packages provide an opportunity to work closely with the magazine . Please get in touch to find out more .
Whats our problem with tackling smoking ?
Smoking is the elephant in the room for drug and alcohol services , David MacKintosh tells DDN ( p6 ). Many staff are smokers themselves and ‘ if you ’ re trying to engage with a guy on a cardboard box in a shop doorway then a cigarette isn ’ t a bad way of doing it .’ When we started DDN 20 years ago you could spot a drugs conference venue from the large group of smokers outside . The difference is that many of us with a choice are vaping these days .
It ’ s a different story for people who are homeless . The choice may have been offered briefly during COVID to keep people indoors in emergency hotel accommodation and stop them from sharing cigarettes . But back on the streets now , the smoking level is six times higher than in the general population , with all the previous risky practices in evidence . We know the devastating effects of dire respiratory health – COPD , chest infections , pneumonia . Combined with cold , wet living conditions and a poor diet , the appalling life expectation of early 40s should be no surprise . So why aren ’ t we focusing more on tobacco – the drug that ’ s most likely to kill them ? Do we still have a problem with tackling smoking ? Thoughts , feedback and ideas welcome . Claire Brown , editor www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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