Basic HTML Version
We welcome your letters...
Please email them to the editor, claire@cjwellings.com or post them
to the address on page 3. Letters may be edited for space or clarity
– please limit submissions to 350 words.
Letters |
Comments
10 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| October 2013
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
LETTERS
KEEPING THE
LIGHTS ON
The Green Party is often accused of
idealism, with an unwillingness to
tackle or confront the reality of a
sustainable future while maintaining the
demands of present energy con-
sumption. Certainly environmental
campaigners are often against fracking,
nuclear power and – when in their own
communities – wind farms, or in Wales,
the suggestion of a barrage across the
Severn. So you are left with a sense
that by merely saying one is a Green
supporter this in itself is enough, rather
than explaining what difficult decisions
are required to keep the lights on.
On the drugs debate, Kenneth
Eckersley conveniently forgets that
inserting the word ‘recovery’ into a
drug strategy does not in itself
change very much at all (
DDN
,
September, page 10). Today I am told
if I give a person a needle and syringe
I should record that as the starting
point for a person’s recovery journey
rather than a harm reduction
intervention. The action is the same
but the words have changed.
The government strategy is con-
demned by its own think tank, The
Centre for Social Justice, which
admits that words have not altered
the fact that we are the addictions
capital of Europe. The accolade is
deserved, as in reality policy has
changed very little, with a belief that
bullying people into recovery through
the threats of the criminal justice
system or reduction of benefits is the
key. This approach was accelerated by
the Blair government and continued
by the present incumbents.
Caroline Lucas, he argues, has not
looked at the new strategy and the
marvellous results it promises.
Eckersley is outraged that anyone
would call for a change to the current
policy that sees a greater number
than ever imprisoned, replaced by an
evidenced-based approach to dealing
with addiction issues.
The offending statement from her
party reads, ‘The Greens warmly
welcome this cross-party call for a
complete rethink of the UK’s drug
policy, and the clear recognition of the
need for an evidence-based approach
to reducing drug-related harms.’
Like many others, she calls for a
Royal Commission but I suspect
those in the recovery movement are
terrified by such an approach because
of their own vested self interest in
perpetuating the failing status quo.
Kenneth Eckersley says he is a
Green practitioner. If he champions
that cause, I worry that he does so
not using any evidence and just goes
with anecdotal examples, such as ‘we
had a warm summer this year’.
Martin Blakebrough, CEO,
Kaleidoscope Project
SOBER FUN
As a social worker in London’s East
End for over 20 years I worked with
many people who were harmed by
alcohol. Since taking early retirement I
have continued to work with alcoholics.
People who went to prison have been
in my home including a murderer.
Britain’s biggest drug problem is
caused by alcohol. As someone who
loves playing cricket at the age of
almost 69, I have benefited in many
ways from having consumed no
alcohol since I was thirteen – and
every week I have lots of fun.
A major national campaign should
be launched to highlight the option –
and many advantages – of healthy
and safe alcohol-free lifestyles.
John D Beasley, London
REAL GROWTH
After eight years free from any illegal
substance, I have finally moved on by
tackling the deep-rooted issues that
have affected my life. I have attached
a tree which Liz, my therapist,
revamped to help me address some
of these issues.
I have been fortunate to have fund-
ing and have applied for a further one
year’s funding, but it is so sad that the
government cannot invest more widely.
I have saved my county a lot of money
through my cost-effective therapy.
I nearly died, yet I am still here for
others, with my three daughters my
priority, and if I can handle anything
else in life I will put 100 per cent into
it. Although we are all addicts in one
way or another, I have realised and
explored my shame and guilt, mainly
through your magazine, and would like
to thank you for moving me on.
Sean Rendell, by email
‘...in reality policy has changed
very little, with a belief that
bullying people into recovery
through the threats of the
criminal justice system or
reduction of benefits is the key.’