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Joint-working may be an overused phrase
but it’s a woefully underused concept where homelessness
is concerned. The government’s new report promises to bring together health and housing sectors to improve
the outlook for homeless people with a dual diagnosis; our news focus (page 6) looks at its chances of
success. If proof were needed of the potential of partnerships, Stephen Birrell shares the story of Glasgow’s
GRANDweek (page 8), an inspiring example of how joint-working can give highly effective results.
In this month’s Soapbox, Oscar D’Agnone reminds us that ‘nothing has been more contentious than the
divide between the proponents of the abstinence approach and the defenders of substitute prescribing’, a
fact borne out by DDN letters pages over the past eight years. Worth noting, then, that we have a rare strand
of consensus running through this issue. Recovery should only be defined by the individual, says our GP
columnist Dr Steve Brinksman (page 17), while Bill Nelles (page 10) makes a highly informed personal case for
every service user getting the treatment they want.
In other news, we’ve moved! Please note DDN’s new address (left). You can reach us on the same phone
numbers for the time being and our email addresses will be staying the same.
FEATURES
6
NEWS FOCUS
A new government report pledges to stop the slide into homelessness, particularly for those with
drug and alcohol issues. But are these empty words in the context of welfare cuts? DDN reports.
8
GRAND IDEAS
– COVER STORY
By using partnerships to create an imaginative week of activities, Glasgow is successfully involving
the community in drug and alcohol awareness, as Stephen Birrell explains.
10 VIEW FROM AFAR
Galvanising the service user movement in the UK before returning to Canada’s inferior drug and
alcohol treatment system has given Bill Nelles a unique perspective on treatment policy.
12 ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
The arts can play a vital and powerful role in recovery, says Katrina Lahmann.
15 WORTHY YARN
Swanswell are using a new craze to focus on families, as Stuart Goodwin reports.
16 FRONTLINE CHALLENGE
Stigma and prejudice still stand firmly in the way of achieving an AIDS-free generation, says Dr
Chris Ford, who shares her observations on the 19th International AIDS Conference.
18 VITAL FUNCTION
As liver disease rates continue to rise, David Gilliver talks to British Liver Trust chief executive
Andrew Langford about awareness and taking on the drinks industry.
20 A SIMPLE REVOLUTION
Recovery coaching is quietly transforming the world of recovery, says Anthony Eldridge-Rogers.
REGULARS
4
NEWS ROUND-UP
: Scots record highest ever drug deaths • Homelessness report slammed • Heavy
cannabis use can cause lasting cognitive problems in young • Fatal anthrax case in England confirmed •
News in brief.
7
LEGAL LINE
: Release solicitor Kirstie Douse answers your legal questions.
This issue: can a reader get their money problems back under control?
7
MEDIA SAVVY
: Who’s been saying what..?
11 POLICY SCOPE
: New rules could reinvigorate the public consultation process, says Marcus Roberts
13 ENTERPRISE CORNER
: Collaborate with the voluntary sector, don’t condemn it, says Amar Lodhia.
15 FAMILY MATTERS
: This year’s Family Voices competition is now open, says Joss Smith.
17 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE
:
Recovery should only be defined by the individual, says Dr Steve Brinksman.
21 VOICES OF RECOVERY
:
It’s time to make recovery more visible, says Alistair Sinclair.
22 MY JOURNEY OF SELF-RECOVERY
:
In the first part of her story, Marie Tolman explains how a childhood
incident sent her down the path to addiction.
23 SOAPBOX:
It’s time to move clear of the abstinence v prescribing debate and agree on a pragmatic, holistic
approach, says Oscar D’Agnone.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE: COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
Editor:
Claire Brown
t: 020 7463 2164
e: claire@cjwellings.com
Reporter:
David Gilliver
e: david@cjwellings.com
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t: 020 7463 2081
e: ian@cjwellings.com
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e: jez@cjwellings.com
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t: 020 7463 2205
e: kayleigh@cjwellings.com
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e: subs@cjwellings.com
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September 2012 |
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EDERATION OF
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ROFESSIONALS
Joint-thinking
When several heads are better than one
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
57 High Street, Ashford,
Kent TN24 8SG
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