For most young people who develop drug problems, substance misuse is a symptom, rather than a cause, of a troubled life. Most young people don’t use illegal drugs at all. The majority of those that do steer clear of harder drugs, using mostly cannabis and alcohol.…
Druglink
Druglink article 2010 – Adapt and survive by Marcus Roberts
To mark the publication of DrugScope’s report on young people’s drug treatment, Druglink gathered together a group of experts involved in the delivery of young people’s services to share their experiences and concerns, take stock of recent developments and look to the future. Adapt…
Druglink article 2010 – Grape Britain By Ian Gilmore
Politicians are happy to talk tough on binge-drinking yobs and yobettes as election day approaches. But when it comes to addressing the pernicious problem of the middle classes over-dosing on wine, they bottle it. Grape Britain (PDF)
Druglink article 2010 – Not for turning? by Paul Hayes and Annette Dale-Perera
Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith’s description of methadone as “a fatalistic, short-term, and damaging approach to drug and alcohol addiction” signalled a growing mistrust of the pragmatic harm reduction measures introduced by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Paul Hayes and Annette Dale-Perera look back…
Druglink article 2010 – Talk to Frank (or Fridge Magnet) by Mike Power
As the internet takes a more central position in Britain’s drug landscape, through the sale of legal highs and proliferation in sites specialising in drugs, more people are turning to unofficial websites as a source of information on psychoactive substances. Talk to Frank…
Druglink news item 2010 – Splitting headache by Andy McNicoll
As the government reins in public spending, a new way of dividing up the pot to help England’s young drug users is under intense scrutiny. Andy McNicoll on a system that is already taking some flak from the field… Radical changes to the…
Druglink article 2010 – Making a hash of it by Mike Ashton
It was expected to decide whether a well structured, well resourced, evidence-based drug education programme could contribute to reducing youth substance use, yet the £6m Blueprint study ended up a scientific shambles. Analysis by Mike Ashton. The great store set in the Blueprint study’s…
Druglink article 2010 – Citizen medics by Rosie Mundt-Leach, Siobhan Jackson, Francis Keaney and Alun Morinan
More than one in 20 heroin overdose emergency kits handed out to drug users has been used to counteract an overdose, a study has found. Rosie Mundt-Leach, Siobhan Jackson, Francis Keaney and Alun Morinan report on a unique naloxone kit experiment in south London. Citizen medics…
Druglink article 2010 – Working in isolation by Esther Sample
The links between homelessness and drug abuse are damaging, self-perpetuating and well-documented. Yet homeless drug users often find their escape route hindered by a divided system. Working in isolation (PDF)
Druglink article 2010 – Fitness regime by Andrew McNicoll
Getting caught taking illegal drugs can be more career threatening for our sports stars than breaking a leg. Andrew McNicoll reports on a harsh testing system which is more obsessed with image than individuals. Fitness regime (PDF)