UPFRONT
Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd, Romney House, School Road, Ashford, Kent TN27 0LT
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 website: www. drinkanddrugsnews. com Website support by wiredupwales. com Subscriptions: e: subs @ cjwellings. com Printed on environmentally friendly paper by the Manson Group Ltd Cover: Master1305 / Shutterstock 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
COVER STORY: FEMALE VETERANS
6
INSIDE
4 NEWS NI alcohol deaths rise; call for government statement on treatment
8 SERVICE DESIGN Women’ s needs 14 CQC How to stay ahead 18 COMMUNICATIONS A new take 19 COMMENT Snapshot from the past 20 OUTREACH Support for sex workers 21 STRATEGY Action call to government 22 LUNG HEALTH Harm reduction first
24 IBOGAINE A personal journey
10 12 16
Women in custody Digital inclusion
Integrated care
PARTNERS IN ACTION
‘ By widening access to naloxone through community pharmacies, we can reach more people, in more places, at the moments when it matters most.’ Matthew Burke, Cranstoun
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Trauma isn’ t incidental – it’ s the central thread
Our spotlight on women’ s treatment in this issue makes it uncomfortably clear that women’ s needs are being recognised too late. Whether we’ re talking about female veterans experiencing the shock of civilian life, women navigating custody, survivors of domestic abuse, or those trying to engage with community treatment, the same pattern emerges. Trauma isn’ t incidental, it’ s the central thread – yet too often services remain shaped around a crisis response, with models originally designed for men. But it’ s encouraging to hear from services that are listening and redesigning around what women actually need, and we have to make sure this practice is built into the culture of our services. Gender-responsive care shouldn’ t be something women are lucky to find— it should be something they can count on.
In the same spirit of responsiveness, Digital Lifelines Scotland shows how embracing technology can add superpowers to harm reduction, particularly when coproduction is involved. What better way to strengthen engagement – particularly at key transition points such as prison release and homelessness – and find people when they need us the most? Claire Brown, editor www. drinkanddrugsnews. com and @ DDNmagazine
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