UPFRONT
Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd, Romney House, School Road, Ashford, Kent TN27 0LT
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IN THIS ISSUE
COVER STORY: ME, MYSELF... US
6
INSIDE
4 NEWS Unexpected drug contents; ketamine seizures hit record high 10 ADVOCACY Pipe provision 18 PAIN CONTROL Essential knowledge 19 OPEN HOUSES Rehab on show 20 DRINKING Confronting denial 21 ALCOHOL New directions 26 LEROS Getting involved 30 LETTERS Your comments
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Throughout the mag: the DDN Conference
Let’ s move on stigma Get fresh with recovery
Naloxone over the counter
Me, Myself... Us
THANK YOU ALL for being part of the DDN Conference and for all your feedback!
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A dose of inspiration goes a long way
Organising a conference is nerve-racking – preparing the programme, focusing on every detail, hoping things will run smoothly. It all came together and as the feedback reflects, all our speakers were wonderful. But what’ s harder to describe is the atmosphere created by everyone who comes along to talk, share, listen, engage, and interact. One of my favourite quotes from the feedback forms is‘ full of love and energy’ – because that’ s what you created. A little dose of inspiration goes a long way and we’ re looking forward to doing it all again – so please give us your suggestions for next year!
In the meantime, enjoy this special edition of the mag and all of the content you helped us create online at our website. It’ s not about conference coverage as much as vibrant and visible signs that our sector is a very real partnership on all sides. People with lived experience are not waiting to be‘ done to’ – they already know that they’ re the lifeblood of the sector. Let’ s not lose momentum.
Claire Brown, editor www. drinkanddrugsnews. com and @ DDNmagazine
WWW. DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS. COM SEPTEMBER 2026 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 3