UPFRONT
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IN THIS ISSUE
6
ON THE COVER – Harm reduction challenge
INSIDE
4 NEWS Government expands workforce ; ‘ Staggering ’ US drug deaths fall slightly
8 BENZOS Release examines some harmful practice
10 CHEMSEX Setting up a lifeline
14 VOLUNTEERING Transformation through peer mentoring
16 TRAUMA-INFORMED Vital training for prison staff
20 RECOVERY The power of drama
18 12 22
Self-tracking tools in prison settings
Veterans and mental health
Drugs in popular music
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A timely opportunity for harm reduction
Drug consumption rooms are about so much more than needles . As discussion among people involved in facilities around Europe showed ( p6 ), we have a timely opportunity here – to integrate harm reduction with our work on new substances and new risk behaviours and get in place environments that work on so many levels .
Sharing the breadth of experience brings in all kinds of medical care and counselling , as well as work on an alcohol maintenance programme . We ’ re not just talking about the absolutely essential safe environment for drug use but about wellness , better medical treatments – and about helping people out of poor housing and living environments . The best examples of partnerships that make this happen also include the police and the authorities .
The groundswell of support for such facilities in this country must translate to new political will . In no other area of healthcare would we be dithering over how to run a health centre . Informed by the wealth of expertise – underpinned by a solid bank of research – the action points should be obvious . Why wait for the next release of drug-related death figures to tell us we ’ re not doing it right ? Claire Brown , editor www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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