I CHALLENGE YOU
to look at this issue and not say ‘I never knew there was so much in it!’ Here we are in our
new monthly format, bursting with new features and regulars.
We’ve got more news, an in-depth look at a crucial issue in ‘news focus’ (page 7), and a chance to get to
know the story behind some key figures in the ‘profile’, starting with the much-respected figure of Noreen Oliver
(page 20). We’ve brought in a soapbox to invite challenging views from all quarters (step up Prof McKeganey,
page 19) and want you to let us know what you think (letters, page 10).
We hope DDN will continue to inform you, but we also hope it will inspire, entertain and involve you. I make no
apology for trumpeting Q&A’s return (page 11), as it’s one of the most popular suggestions we took on board
from our DDN survey responses at the end of last year. There are plenty more new features and columns in the
pipeline, so please give us your feedback.
We’re all looking forward to our DDN/Alliance conference next Thursday (10 February) – hope to meet you
there! See you at the beginning of March, when we’ll be sharing the highlights.
FEATURES
7 NEWS FOCUS
Overdose risk warning for heroin users: DDN looks at whether the current heroin drought will
mean serious problems when supplies increase.
8 HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE
– COVER STORY
With more people needing their services than ever, Release have found themselves with a question
mark over the future of their helpline. There’s a lot to lose, says Niamh Eastwood.
12 GETTING STRATEGIC
The NTA recently invited a range of key players to a round table discussion on the implications of
the new treatment landscape. DDN reports.
13 THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED
When Mark walked into WDP’s aftercare service ‘Foundations’, his expectations had hit rock-
bottom. As he tells DDN, he didn’t imagine he’d now be planning for the future.
14 THORNY ISSUES
Abigail Crutchlow shares a trainee psychiatrist’s perspective of the difficult task of addressing
patients’ drug and alcohol use.
20 PROFILE: NOREEN OLIVER
Noreen’s alcohol use very nearly killed her, but she used the experience to found the award-
winning BAC O’Connor centres. She talks to David Gilliver.
22 SECRET LIVES
With alcohol services already the poor relation in terms of funding, Asian women drinkers are
among the hidden groups that aren’t getting the specialist help they need, says Vic Motune.
REGULARS
4 NEWS ROUND-UP
: Scorn for government’s cheap alcohol ‘crackdown’ • Nine new members for ACMD •
Health bill will have ‘far-reaching implications’ • Figures point to declining drug use • NTA: recovery is
realistic goal • Heroin shortage prompts overdose warnings • Harm reduction boost for Middle East and
North Africa • News in brief
10
LETTERS
:
What is cherry-picking?; For whose benefit?; Dual appreciation
10 MEDIA SAVVY
:
Who’s been saying what..?
11 Q&A
:
It’s back! Our agony column returns withWill’s dilemma between professionalism to clients and
loyalty to a colleague.
11 OBITUARY
:
Elizabeth Flegg remembers East Sussex health promotion specialist, Nick Cole.
19 SOAPBOX
:
New platform for views. This month: Neil McKeganey asks ‘what now for harm reduction?’
21 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE
:
Dr Chris Ford finds stigma all too common, even at the end of life.
ADVERTISING FEATURES
15 TTP
share how they are putting housing at the heart of recovery.
24 BAC SAFETY
explain their work training in the search and detection of drugs and alcohol.
25
JOBS, COURSES, CONFERENCES, TENDERS
Editor: Claire Brown
t: 020 7463 2164
e: claire@cjwellings.com
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e: david@cjwellings.com
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7 February 2011 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
F
EDERATION OF
D
RUG AND
A
LCOHOL
P
ROFESSIONALS
In with the new
More news and views in our new monthly format
Published by CJ Wellings Ltd,
Southbank House, Black Prince
Road, London SE1 7SJ
PUBLISHERS:
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This issue
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