UPFRONT
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IN THIS ISSUE
CONFERENCE SPECIAL
INSIDE
4 NEWS Edinburgh consumption sites nearer; new nitazenes alert
6 LIVED EXPERIENCE Force for change 10 IT’ S MUTUAL Peer support to strategy 12 PRISONS Challenging stigma culture 14 PERSPECTIVES Ideas and connection 16 WOMEN The right spaces 18 SELF-COMPASSION Help to heal
22 LETTERS From you to us
20
Brighter futures with kinship carers
BRIGHT SPARKS!
THANK YOU ALL for travelling to the DDN Conference and for all your feedback!
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It takes courage to relive the worst days
Imagine being homeless, dispossessed, and afraid to ask for help. Imagine coming out of prison without the first idea of how to find an income, let alone a career. Imagine having no clue that there would be help to get back on track from all-consuming addiction. We hope that the energy from our DDN Conference will come through the pages of this month’ s issue. Taking the platform takes a lot of courage if you’ re talking about yourself – but especially if you’ re reliving the worst days of your life. To take that experience and share it with others who might be struggling is truly inspirational. We are indebted to everyone who contributed – thank you for inspiring us.
We often receive letters from people who are far from this stage, especially those on long-term prison sentences who dread the‘ what next’ after release( p22). I hope they draw comfort – and information – from the support networks made up of people who’ ve been in a similar situation that will be ready to help, guide and offer new hope for the future. Our conference delegates included staff members from drug and alcohol services, but most had lived, living – and thriving – experience, and they prove constantly that they are key to informing the therapeutic partnership. Claire Brown, editor www. drinkanddrugsnews. com and @ DDNmagazine
WWW. DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS. COM SEPTEMBER 2025 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 3