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UPFRONT
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
6
ON THE COVER – Celebrating our differences
18
Inflexible
and ineffective treatment
On track for Hep C elimination
INSIDE
4 NEWS Synthetic drugs transform markets ; MUP ‘ cut alcohol deaths ’
10 COMMISSIONING What makes a strong partnership ?
12 DRINKING AND ME Raymond ’ s story
16 FOCUSED TREATMENT Combining services to best effect
20 INSIDE VIEW Tackling stigma in prison 22 OBITUARY David Tomlinson 24 CAREERS Social work in action
Helping people prepare for release from prison
8 14
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If we can ’ t fit in , we ‘ become the problem ’
British South Asian women with addiction problems are often a community within a community within a community , hidden from view , says Shinasa Shahid ( p6 ). Her article teaches us much about the ‘ shame and blame ’ that fuels stigma . When our families and communities give us a role we can ’ t fit into , we become the problem – which is why support services must be ready with the knowledge and sensitivity to respond .
How different might Raymond ’ s life have been if he ’ d had an early intervention for his problematic drinking ( p12 )? Now in a supportive environment at last , he ’ s lost the ambition to see life as ‘ more than okay ’. Opportunities do seem to be opening up for the candidates leaving prison on a pathway towards long-term paid employment , however ( p14 ). This approach of ‘ personalised , blended support ’ has also taken root in Cornwall , where mental health , drug rehabilitation and alcohol treatment requirements are considered as a treatment partnership ( p16 ) – a theme also explored in our new commissioning series on p10 .
And we ’ re delighted to reopen Release ’ s casebook in this issue ( p18 ), with the ever-popular regular column . There ’ s no better way to demonstrate the value of challenging poor treatment than through effective advocacy support . Claire Brown , editor www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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