Basic HTML Version
‘A vicious cycle of victimisation
and criminal activity develops, creating a toxic lifestyle that is extremely difficult
to escape.’ This comment from the 2007 Corston review of vulnerable women in the criminal justice system
demonstrates why prison is not always the answer and can often compound problems to become a lifetime’s
involvement with incarceration, with all the heartbreak and family break-up that entails.
In our cover story this issue, Katy Swaine Williams and colleagues share knowledge from the Prison Reform
Trust, making a very powerful case for community solutions over short prison sentences – an argument backed
by research demonstrating cuts in reoffending rates. They acknowledge that there is still much more to be
learned about how such women can be supported to access treatment in the community – underlining the value
of debate at the recent Kaleidoscope Project conference in Cardiff (see report on page 10). Bringing together
speakers from the police, social research, healthcare and charities gave a powerful perspective on the many
pressures that drive women into destructive behaviours – and highlighted the desperate need for support in
breaking cycles of self-destructive behaviour. It makes obvious sense of the Prison Reform Trust’s call for a
statutory requirement for ‘appropriate, gender-specific provision’, in every area of the country.
FEATURES
6
NEWS FOCUS
Do emerging drug use trends in parts of London’s gay scene risk creating a new
health crisis? DDN reports on the National Aids Trust’s call for urgent action.
8
DOING WHAT WORKS
– COVER STORY
Katy Swaine Williams and José Aguiar discuss much-needed steps
to reform women’s justice.
10 INNER STRENGTH
Kaleidoscope’s recent conference stimulated valuable debate on how women affected by
drug
and alcohol issues could be better supported in the community. Sarah Orrell reports.
12 VIEW FROM THE FRONTLINE
How well do frontline workers think the sector is responding to parental substance use?
Oliver French shares Adfam’s findings.
16 BRIDGING THE GAP
Sarah Galvani has spent much of her career promoting awareness of substance issues
among social workers. She talks to David Gilliver about bringing the fields together.
REGULARS
4
NEWS ROUND-UP
: Huge increase in alcohol-related liver disease in under 30s • Local authorities
unready for hep C responsibility • News in brief.
7
MEDIA SAVVY
: Who’s been saying what..?
13 FAMILY MATTERS
:
Adfam’s new survey showed family services are struggling to stretch
scant
resources to answer a surge in demand, says Joss Smith.
13 NOTHING TO DECLARE
:
In the second part of his personal story, Mark Dempster leaves for
London, takes tips from a terrorist and heads towards the ‘big time’.
15 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE:
Proactively monitoring repeat prescriptions can save a patient
from addiction to their medication, says Dr Steve Brinksman.
15 ENTERPRISE CORNER:
Turning negatives into positives is the challenge ahead, says Amar Lodhia.
18 SOAPBOX
: E-cigarettes are coming to your service shortly. Should we be concerned,
asks Professor Howard Parker.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE: COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
CENTRE PAGES: SPRING RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT DIRECTORY
Editor:
Claire Brown
t: 01233 638 528
e: claire@cjwellings.com
Assistant Editor:
Kayleigh Hutchins
t: 01233 633 315
e: kayleigh@cjwellings.com
Reporter:
David Gilliver
e: david@cjwellings.com
Advertising Manager:
Ian Ralph
t: 01233 636 188
e: ian@cjwellings.com
Designer:
Jez Tucker
e: jez@cjwellings.com
Publishing Assistant:
Annie Hobson
e: annie@cjwellings.com
Subscriptions:
t: 01233 633 315
e: subs@cjwellings.com
Website:
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
Website maintained by
wiredupwales.com
Printed on environmentally
friendly paper by the Manson
Group Ltd
Cover: Chris Price/iStock
CJ Wellings Ltd does not
accept responsibility for the
accuracy of statements made
by contributors or advertisers.
The contents of this magazine
are the copyright of CJ Wellings
Ltd, but do not necessarily
represent its views, or those of
its partner organisations.
April 2013 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
F
EDERATION OF
D
RUG AND
A
LCOHOL
P
ROFESSIONALS
Toxic trap
Giving women support over punishment
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
57 High Street, Ashford,
Kent TN24 8SG
PUBLISHERS:
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS:
p10
This issue
p16
DDN is an independent publication,
entirely funded by advertising.
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS:
Editorial – Claire Brown
p06