ON THE COVER
DDN is an independent publication, entirely funded by advertising.
Publishers:
Partners:
Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals
Supporting organisations:
4
NEWS
New alcohol guidelines. DDN’s round-up of national and local news.
6
COVER STORY
Stigma, misunderstanding and a lack of communication cloud our
policy and practice on drugs, said speakers at HIT
Hot Topics
.
8
NEWS FOCUS
A major new report sheds light on the alcohol habits of the over-50s. Are
they risking drinking themselves into an early grave?
11
BURDEN OF GRIEF
Helping families through the guilt and anger of losing a loved one can be
gruelling for practitioners. Esther Harries looks at how to be prepared.
12
TOUGH MEASURES
‘Why have NPS become so attractive to prisoners?’ Kit Caless examines the
reasons behind the rush to outlaw new psychoactive substances.
14
EDUCATION
Richard Johnson describes how ANA are helping clients to reconnect.
19
DRUGWISE
Former
DrugScope
colleagues Harry Shapiro and Jackie Buckle launch
DrugWise
–
a new online drug information service.
February 2016 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 3
editor’s letter
‘There’s a stronger need than
ever for a truthful narrative
on drugs and alcohol’
Contents
T
he HIT
Hot Topics
conference was a day of stand-out
presentations, all of them thought-provoking. Among them
was Carl Hart, who commented that the British were very
controlled and urged us to get a little more angry (page 6): ‘Be
prepared to lose funding, friends, professional achievements and
respect… but history will judge you favourably because you are right.’
Professor Hart is an inspirational speaker but most of us are
painfully mindful of the need to hold down a job when all around
seems to be shifting. However, as you’ll see from articles in this issue,
there’s a stronger need than ever for a truthful narrative on drugs
and alcohol. We may not be able to have much direct effect on
national policy, but we can bring level judgement and honest
appraisal to the working practice that directly affects clients.
Talking of which, our national service user involvement conference
is coming up fast. We’re building a picture of what’s happening in
services all over the country, so come along and make sure your
experiences are heard. If you’ve not been before, why not bring your
service users along for a day of amazing speakers, empowerment
and networking; and if you have, we’re looking forward to
welcoming you back to Birmingham – you helped us build this
amazing event, now in its ninth year! Go to our website now
(
to let us have your thoughts by
filling in the questionnaire – and send us your pictures to show on
our big screen. See you on 25 February!
Claire Brown, editor
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Kent TN24 8SG
Editor: Claire Brown
t: 01233 638 528
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t: 01233 633 315
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Cover by irra_irra/Fotolia
Changing the record, p6
