Drink and Drugs News is published by CJ Wellings Ltd , Romney House , School Road , Ashford , Kent TN27 0LT t : 0845 299 3429
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IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE COVER : Alcohol and veterans
10
Commissioners
must adapt to an increasingly fragile picture
6
Alcohol education for the over-50s
INSIDE
4 NEWS HAT success ; risky drinking 13 LETTERS Let ’ s stay positive 13 PARLIAMENT Tackling homelessness
14 REVIEW OF THE YEAR Looking back over an extraordinary 12 months
15 BILL NELLES on a small ray of optimism 16 I AM A ... detox manager 17 BOOK REVIEW The Wild Remedy 17 GYPSY COMMUNITY Support from EDP 18 CHRISTMAS REHAB Phoenix ’ s good cheer 19 MY WISH for meaningful support
8 12
Treating school children as criminals is a recipe for disaster
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‘ There are much-needed glimpses of hope ’
Our news in this issue leads with the positive results of the heroin assisted treatment pilot in Middlesbrough – a scheme whose dramatic impact has resulted in funding to evaluate it , and which will hopefully encourage further roll-out . These are the moments we must look for in a terribly difficult year . Our review of the last 12 months ( p14 ) reminds us of the painful decisions and swift adaptations we all had to make – but it also tells the story of services rising to the challenge and gives much-needed glimpses of hope .
There are many opportunities ahead , particularly through partnership working . Adfam and the Forces in Mind Trust have been finding ways to support veterans and their families ( p6 ), answering a massive need that ’ s been flagged up for so long in our sector . Alcohol Awareness Week has galvanised services from all over the country to educate and inspire for the common cause ( p8 ). And a parent ’ s concern about a school ’ s approach to drugs is an invitation to comment on this fundamentally important matter ( p12 ). We ’ ve also focused on the vital process of commissioning ( p10 ), with an invite to join the debate .
A heartfelt thank you to those of you who have already completed our readers ’ survey . If you haven ’ t yet , please do ! Season ’ s greetings and all the very best . Claire Brown , editor Keep in touch at www . drinkanddrugsnews . com and @ DDNmagazine
WWW . DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS . COM DECEMBER 2020 – JANUARY 2021 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • 3