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
Advertising manager : Ian Ralph e : ian @ cjwellings . com
Reporter : David Gilliver e : david @ cjwellings . com
Designer : Jez Tucker e : jez @ cjwellings . com
Subscriptions : e : subs @ cjwellings . com
website : www . drinkanddrugsnews . com
Website support by wiredupwales . com
Printed on environmentally friendly paper by the Manson Group Ltd
Cover by : Shanina / iStock
CJ Wellings Ltd does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers .
The contents of this magazine are the copyright of CJ Wellings Ltd , but do not necessarily represent its views , or those of its partner organisations .
IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER : Time is up for our drug laws
10
Voluteers
: the vital resource
6
Prisoners and childhood trauma
16
INSIDE
4 NEWS MUP has ‘ lasting impact ’ on drinking levels ; call for drug law reform
12 IT ’ S MY SCRIPT Defending the essential right to take home doses
18 LOCKDOWN LETTERS A lifeline from AA
19 STRONGER TOGETHER Forward Trust has merged with Action on Addiction
20 CLERO Going from strength to strength in recovery
20 REMEMBERING ... Kazim Khan
21 I AM A ... Volunteer service user rep ; this month ’ s career story
The long road to naloxone for all
16 14
STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
‘ Appreciating nature soothes my soul ... the sound of birds chirping calms me and keeps my mind present .’
The Forward Trust connects with nature in our latest Partner Updates – all 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 .
Drugs legislation is woefully out of date
Fifty years on , does anybody believe that the Misuse of Drugs Act is still fit for purpose ? The verdict is not good ( page 6 ). A dramatic failure , punitive ( particularly to the most vulnerable in our society ), neither fair nor evidence-based , a blunt policing tool that compounds damage … some of the words used in this issue .
So what next ? Paul Townsley believes we have a window of opportunity for ‘ some radical steps forwards ’ ( page 8 ). Carol Black ’ s latest report is keenly anticipated and there ’ s an appetite to bring a public health approach to the criminal justice system as well as all corners of society . Our letters from prisoners illustrate why this matters so much ( page 16 ). Responding to our articles about early trauma , they are profoundly revealing . As much as they are a testament to the value of professional support , understanding and connection , they are also a reminder of the pot-luck outcomes of sending someone into the criminal justice system without knowing if the right threads will be picked up and pulled back together .
And a big shout-out to all volunteers ( p10-11 and p21 ) as we celebrate National Volunteers ’ Week . Lena ’ s story shows what can happen when we ’ re given the right environment in which to thrive – an opportunity which she ’ s now passing on to others . Claire Brown , editor Keep in touch at www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
WWW . DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS . COM JUNE 2021 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 3