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This month’s cover story
(page 8) documents a logical approach to something that should be straightforward,
but so often isn’t. How often do services wait for clients to come knocking when they’re hardly likely to? True
outreach means seeking out the people most in need of services and literally reaching out to them, while being
mindful of every aspect of their dignity. Seeing evidence of the Ana Liffey Project’s work on the streets of Dublin
impressed Stephen Parkin enough to find out more, and to think about how such logical, street-based harm
reduction initiatives could be transplanted elsewhere. ‘All our staff are very client focused – we’re constantly
seeking new ways to reach marginalised clients,’ says the project’s director, Tony Duffin, and it’s this constant
quest for innovation that’s so relevant.
With this in mind, we’d like to invite your contributions to our new ‘good practice exchange’, to be featured in
the magazine and on our website. Do you have a successful initiative that you’d like to share with other readers –
maybe a familiar area of practice that you've approached a little differently or with a certain flair, or an innovative
twist that’s worked particularly well for you? We all spend too long reinventing the wheel – please share your
ideas with us. You might just spark a new initiative elsewhere in the country.
FEATURES
6
NEWS FOCUS
Is minimum unit pricing for alcohol dead in the water, asks DDN.
8
GETTING STREETWISE
Stephen Parkin describes why he was so impressed by The Ana Liffey Project’s
innovative street-based outreach work in Dublin.
12 A VISION TO SERVE
The importance of the individual in the new public health landscape was one of the themes
discussed at the London Drug and Alcohol Policy Forum’s recent event. DDN reports.
14 A CASE FOR E-CIGARETTES
If electronic cigarettes can save lives, why are we stalling on a
public health breakthrough, asks Professor Gerry Stimson.
16 GREEN ZONE
The government should acknowledge that ‘current policy is flawed’, says MP Caroline Lucas.
18 PRESCRIPTION FOR ACTION
At a recent parliamentary debate, ADS brought together experts to tackle the pervasive
problem of addiction to prescription drugs. TomWhiting reports.
19 MAKING RECOVERY VISIBLE
Thousands will gather for the fifth UK recovery walk in September, says Richard Maunders.
REGULARS
4
NEWS ROUND-UP
: Minimum pricing ‘will not be taken forward’ • Government consults on
proposals for new drug-driving offences • PMA in ecstasy tablets warning • News in brief.
7
POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE:
All GPs should see involvement in drug and alcohol treatment
as the norm, says Dr Steve Brinksman.
7
MEDIA SAVVY:
Who’s been saying what..?
10 LETTERS
:
False dichotomy; Self-help salvation; 35 years strong; Help the aged; How lucky we are.
11 SKILLS UPDATE
:
What’s the latest on professional training? Nadine Singh explains the DANOS review.
13 ENTERPRISE CORNER
:
Turn life’s adversities into business opportunities, says Amar Lodhia.
17 NOTHING TO DECLARE
:
Mark Dempster’s final installment sees him experience an unlikely epiphany.
20 SOAPBOX
:
Our commissioning processes are unacceptably poor, says John Jolly.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE: COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
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
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Cover: Ian Ralph
CJ Wellings Ltd does not
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The contents of this magazine
are the copyright of CJ Wellings
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represent its views, or those of
its partner organisations.
August 2013 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
F
EDERATION OF
D
RUG AND
A
LCOHOL
P
ROFESSIONALS
Keep innovating
We want to share your good ideas
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
57 High Street, Ashford,
Kent TN24 8SG
PUBLISHERS:
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS:
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This issue
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DDN is an independent publication,
entirely funded by advertising.
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SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS:
Editorial – Claire Brown
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