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Naloxone is ‘failing to
reach those who most
need it’ – a new report by
Release shows that local
authorities are not provid ing
sufficient naloxone
SW Dunlevy responds:
I’m constantly running into IV heroin users
who know OF naloxone but don’t know
much else. I've handed out dozens of
yellow boxes (opened so a couple of pins
could be added) and need more.
It’s so simple and so effective. I’ve had 6
people go over on me and 3 I kept going
without naloxone and it was HARD. 45
minutes of jabbing them to keep them
breathing. With naloxone it’s a whole
different story. People recover in seconds.
For the price this is the best HR aid
currently available.
We need to normalise naloxone. Even if
you don't know an opioid user, you may be
in that place at that time and then you can
save a life. What sickens me is that there
are potent, euphoric opioids that do not
cause respiratory depression but the same
old poisons (brown & fentanyl) are the
market norm.
For my post-grad I tested some
levorphanol analogues and one in particular
was some x180 M in potency but its LD50
was a full x50 that of H, M or fentanyl.
Nobody has gone for it because it means
investment… and being what it is, people
buy whatever opioid they can get that day.
Government announces
drugs and violence review
– Prof Dame Carol Black to look
at how 'drugs are fuelling serious
violence'
Sally Howels responds:
If they aren't considering legalisation there
is little point to this. If drug users need to
have some kind of treatment plan in order
to claim benefits then this will lead to
more crime and more homeless!
Better to legalise so crime does not
need to be committed. Without running
around, raising money to score, then
running around to score, drug users will
have more time on their hands to actually
work – saving money on benefits.
Without committing crime, even just
the crime of being in possession, they
won't have a criminal record so will have
more chance of employment.
Once employed, many will be too busy
to want to use drugs all day. Money saved
from the judicial system – police, courts,
prison, probation – could be used better.
Police could catch real criminals!
Some of the money saved could be
spent on helping those who want to stop
using, educating and training so they can
work. The crime rate would fall. Less
alcohol would be drunk.
Legalisation is the only way to go –
without that even being discussed this is an
'empty job', paying an undeserved salary.
Probably employing secretaries, advisers etc
– just more pointless jobs all so the govern -
ment can say they are doing something.
People will always use, no matter what
punishment is handed out.
So what? The damage is done by
making them criminals. By making moral
judgements over something that isn't
really anyone else's business.
Until total legalisation happens the
crime rate will continue to go up. Drugs
don’t ruin as many lives as the antiquated
drug laws.
So upset to hear City Roads is
closing – it was where I started in
1983 as a drugs worker 36 years ago. I have
never really recovered. Time moves on and
my life passes into the history books. Still
City Roads has a right to celebrate its
amazing history. @JohnJolly64
Really sad news, we lose another
amazing resource and place.
@johnbransfield
Sad to hear City Roads is closing, I
have met a few lovely professionals
there throughout my career starting with
CDP, SLAM, BEHMT and NELFT to mention a
few. Strong memories of referrals and
follow ups. How sad. @Wabharm
/DDNMagazine @DDNMagazine
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
MEDIA SAVVY
The news, and the skews, in the national media
WITHIN THE FIELD
OF MENTAL
HEALTH, substance
misuse represents
a microcosm of
mental disorders:
environment
interacts with
genetics, stigma
hinders treatment,
and untreated
disorders create a
downward spiral of
more mental ill-
health, economic
hardship, and poor familial support
or even increased risk of
experiencing domestic violence.
Addiction services, in other words,
should not be regarded as just
another psychiatric specialty…
At a time when substance misuse
is increasing globally, cuts to
addiction services cannot be
justified, either morally or
economically, yet they occur.
Lancet editorial, 30 April
IF WE ARE TO TACKLE THE
PROBLEMS SURROUNDING THE
MISUSE OF DRUGS effectively we
have to open our minds to a more
liberal evidence-based approach.
Too many lives have been blighted
by drugs, by their misuse and the
needless criminalisation that
interferes with people’s education
and careers. Nobody would argue
that the misuse of drugs doesn’t
have deadly effects. However,
billions of pounds continue to be
channelled through organised
crime every year as young people
are pushed towards dealers, and
dangerous, unregulated backstreet
drugs. If we are to avoid another
generation being faced with the
same problems we have to change.
Christine Jardine, Independent ,
21 April
MORE THAN ONE IN TEN MALE
PRISONERS report developing their
drug problem while in prison, drug
addictions fuel almost half of all
acquisitive crime, and the prison
service is losing officers at an
alarming rate. It is time to tackle
the understaffing and to value the
role of ‘prison officer’ as the driver
of personal transformation. It’s also
vital to grip the problem of drugs in
prison. That means body scanners
for prisoners, visitors, and staff –
and it also means protecting
officers from being corrupted, and
rooting out the tiny minority who
are. Crucially though, it will require
those in Westminster with control
of the purse strings to loosen them,
and it will require sustained
political and organisational
leadership to turn things around
Rory Geoghegan, Spectator ,
29 April
THE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEFS’
COUNCIL has recommended that
instead of arresting, cautioning,
warning or charging cannabis
users, the police should suggest
they seek treatment. This is a
decision that undermines the
law…The police are merely
reflecting a consensus
promulgated by the intellectual,
political and cultural
establishment. This consensus
comprises, among other things,
unquestioning faith in the benefits
of drug liberalisation, the looming
catastrophe of man-made global
warming, as well as identity
politics and the grievance culture.
It repudiates reason and evidence,
prioritises feelings over facts, and
roots itself in the breakdown of
social and moral norms.
Melanie Phillips, Times , 23 April
May 2019 | drinkanddrugsnews | 13