Keep in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter!
/DDNMagazine @DDNMagazine
Contents
editor’s letter
ON THE COVER
‘People are missing out on
engaging with healthcare’
Are we looking away from harm reduction? p6
4
NEWS
Minimum pricing goes ahead; Big rise in numbers seeking treatment for crack.
6
8
ON A KNIFE EDGE
Disinvestment in harm reduction services is failing clients.
THE WORD ON THE STREETS
HIT Hot Topics asks, is language fuelling a ‘war on drug users’?
10 THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE HEROIN
Staying alert to the fentanyl threat.
11 I’M WORTH...
Making hep C services fit for purpose – survey results.
12 A RISK TOO FAR
GPs issue stark warning on recommissioning risks.
14 LEGAL LINE
Latest CQC update for residential services from solicitor Nicole Ridgwell.
14 LETTERS AND COMMENT
System failure; More Russell rage. Addaction celebrates 50-year anniversary.
16 REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Record drug deaths mark another difficult year for the sector.
17 GLOBAL DRUG SURVEY 2018
Share your experiences with the world’s largest evidence bank.
18 STOPPING THE HURT
Challenging the perpetrators of domestic violence.
19 STAY WITH IT
Working with troubled youngsters is the focus of our iCAAD Knowledge Hub.
20 MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS
George Allan signs off with some final thoughts on the sector.
21 MEDIA SAVVY
The news, and the skews, in the national media.
Reporter: David Gilliver
e: [email protected]
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
Romney House, School Road,
Ashford, Kent TN27 0LT
Editor: Claire Brown
t: 01233 638 528
e: [email protected]
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Advertising manager:
Ian Ralph
t: 01233 636 188
e: [email protected]
Designer: Jez Tucker
e: [email protected]
A
s 2017 draws to a close we look back at a year of
diminishing budgets and record drug-related deaths (page
16). While local authorities get to grips with cutting £85m
from public health spending, the ACMD warned that slashing drug
treatment budgets is a ‘catalyst for disaster’. Throughout the year
we have heard many evidence-based arguments for harm reduction
initiatives. The call for supervised injection facilities is gathering
momentum again, and there is continued progress on naloxone
roll-out. But what about those working in harm reduction who feel
they are fighting a losing battle (page 6)?
Disinvestment in harm reduction in the UK is deeply damaging.
Not only are we dismissing the rights of people in desperate need of
services – we are driving away those who work with passion in the
most difficult environments. The result is a deskilling of this vital
workforce, as we patch up services and miss out on a huge (and cost
effective) opportunity to help clients engage with healthcare.
We opened a debate about commissioning in our last issue,
following the ACMD’s call for longer retendering cycles. On page 12
we look at the effect of this on shared care – a disturbing picture of
GPs stretched to breaking point trying to make sure patients don’t
drop out of treatment. So it’s not been an easy year, but there are
clear goals to fight for. We have an amazing bank of evidence in
this field – let’s make sure it reaches those who need to hear it.
Have a peaceful festive season and stay in touch with us as we gear
up for a vigorous new year. We’ll be back in print on 5 February.
Claire Brown, editor
Keep in touch at www.drinkanddrugsnews.com and @DDNmagazine
Subscriptions:
t: 01233 633 315
e: [email protected]
Website:
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Website support by
wiredupwales.com CJ Wellings Ltd does not accept
respon si bility for the accuracy of
state ments made by contributors
or advertisers. The contents of this
magazine are the copyright of
CJ Wellings Ltd, but do not
necess arily represent its views, or
those of its partner organisations.
Printed on environmentally friendly
paper by the Manson Group Ltd Cover by Scene_It
DDN is an independent publication, entirely funded by advertising.
Supporting organisations:
December/January 2018 | drinkanddrugsnews | 3