Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd , Romney House , School Road , Ashford , Kent TN27 0LT t : 0845 299 3429
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IN THIS ISSUE
ALL TOGETHER NOW
20
A
decade of action against the ‘ war on drugs ’
Challenging stigma
INSIDE
4 NEWS High alcohol deaths in deprived areas ; rise in Europe ’ s cocaine supply
6 FEEL THE ENERGY ! Opening sessions from our first DDN conference since the pandemic
10 POWER OF COMMUNITY Bringing lived experience to the stage
14 TOGETHER WE CAN DO ANYTHING Ideas , inspiration and peer power
18 ALL TOGETHER NOW ... What a day ! 24 CLERO COLUMN & PARLIAMENT
25 A LITTLE RESPECT Stigma campaign targets mainstream media
The time is now to eliminate Hep C
25 22
STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
‘ We all share a great passion for helping people to change their lives for the better .’
Lydia Broom , Change Grow Live , at the DDN conference . More at 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 .
‘ From the moment I arrived I was surrounded by energy ’
We wondered if it would ever happen – and then there we were , with everyone pouring through the doors of our first conference for three years . Overwhelming and exhilarating . In this issue you ’ ll find all kinds of impressions of the day , but for me the highlights , alongside inspiring speakers and our team of amazing volunteers , were the connections – reunions , introductions , endless possibilities for working together and sharing ideas . It reminded me that this event is shaped by each and every person who takes part . It ’ s particularly inspiring to hear from people who haven ’ t been before . Lydia said she wasn ’ t quite sure what to expect , but ‘ from the moment I arrived , I felt like I was surrounded by people who were full of energy and determination …’
And this is what we need to take away from one day ’ s event and pass on to colleagues . We have so many different viewpoints and perspectives between us and it ’ s not always easy to align with others ’ beliefs and ways of doing things . But the common aim is to strive for better physical and mental health , safety and wellbeing and to challenge anything that limits our opportunities . A physical event is liberating and life-affirming in so many ways ; let ’ s keep that door open .
Claire Brown , editor Keep in touch at www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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