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IN THIS ISSUE
COVER STORY : County lines
8
Methadone
provision : supervised humiliation ?
6
Children of alcohol dependent parents
INSIDE
4 NEWS Services at risk of being overwhelmed ; cocaine purity climbs
14 I AM A ... New careers series : Leanne Smullen-Bethell gives insight into her role in a specialist family service
15 THE RIGHT CHOICES Lockdown is a reminder that residential rehabs are an essential option for treatment
16 BILL NELLES A report from Canada ’ s first virtual recovery capital conference ; and a tribute to much-loved Gary Sutton
17 THEY SAID WHAT ..? An eye on the national media
We need to talk about medical marijuana
10 12
STAYING STRONG IN PARTNERSHIP
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‘ We have a unique role in breaking county lines ’
THE PRESSURES OF THE PANDEMIC are diverting services into new ways of working , with plenty of energy spent adapting systems to ensure continuity of service . But this month ’ s cover story ( page 6 ) is a reminder that drug dealing is also having to adapt its business model . And unfortunately the varying stages of lockdown have opened up new opportunities – and necessity – for exploitation .
Shropshire ’ s experience shows that there is no let-up in county lines activity , with lines changing and being replaced regularly . The only way we can tackle this violent and highly lucrative business effectively is by working closely with police and social services – and by realising that substance misuse services have a unique role to play in ‘ working holistically and without judgement ’ to help young people and vulnerable adults out of a trap that has become modern slavery . Those young people – anyone ’ s child – at the receiving end of youth justice , are themselves victims of crime and need our support at this vital time . This could be the crossroads at which they are able to escape from a cycle of crime and get the support they need to leave this terrifying situation behind – and we have to do better than let them join an even bigger training ground in the criminal justice system .
Claire Brown , editor Keep in touch at www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
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