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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Cover by : Olga Petrakova / Alamy
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IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER – Targeted alcohol harm reduction
14
Prioritising
wellbeing for better outcomes
6
The importance of partnership in reducing drug-related deaths
INSIDE
4 NEWS Scottish drug deaths increase ; British Columbia relaxes drug laws
8 ALCOHOL Support in Blackpool 12 DUAL DIAGNOSIS Partners in training 13 MENTAL HEALTH A blended approach 16 SMOKING OUT ... Vaping in ? 18 FORWARD IMPACT A year ’ s progress
22 LETTERS & COMMENT Remembering David Ramsbotham
23 PARLIAMENT Focus on women 25 HEP C SERVICES All under one roof
Commissioning from a criminal justice perspective
10 20
STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
‘ The new year marks a fresh start for all of us – a time for change .’
Asi Panditharatna from Forward Trust gives advice on achieving employment goals – see our partner updates 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 .
What ’ s the message for older drinkers ?
Dry January is firmly established as a popular campaign , with millions of people taking part . But we have a problem . As our cover story discusses ( p6 ), a very small proportion of these were over 55 – the very age range found most likely to be drinking more than the weekly guidelines , with ingrained habits and a peer supported drinking social life . The outlook for their health is worrying – but how do we encourage them to take the risks seriously and play an active part in their own harm reduction ? There ’ s no doubt that a new alcohol strategy is well overdue – but it must go beyond a focus on young people and have absolute relevance to the self-defined ‘ moderate drinkers ’ of an older generation who are routinely consuming more than 50 units a week .
On the theme of wellbeing , we have helpful ideas throughout the issue on looking after staff while they take on board the stresses and strains of clients with many complex needs , together with strong and inspiring partnerships on projects ranging from mental health to hepatitis C .
And for a story with many plot twists , its fair share of villains and an eye-watering level of deception , read about the fight to end the reign of the killer cigarette ( p16 ). Will the combustible cling to power – or will vaping save the day ? As always , we want your views !
Claire Brown , editor www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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