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Six new nitazenes detected in ‘rapidly evolving’ European drug market last year
[…] underlines the need for Europe to improve its preparedness for any possible market shifts, by ensuring adequate prevention and treatment, including access to opioid agonist medicines and harm reduction services, as well as making available sufficient supplies of naloxone,’ EMCDDA says. Potent synthetic substances, new drug mixtures and changing patterns of use all ‘pose a […]
December 2018
[…] have felt powerless to halt the rise of drug and alcohol-related deaths. But we are also reminded of some important things that make a difference – strong harm reduction, good commissioning, and a commitment to learning from each other. I hope you enjoy a safe and peaceful festive season and we’ll be back for the […]
Change of scene
[…] and support. We’ve just been through so many epochs – from the abstinence approach in the mid ‘80s to HIV and public health and the move towards harm reduction.’ Then came the ‘whole focus on recovery, particularly abstinent recovery. I think we suffered significantly from that in terms of a narrow focus. We’ve obviously come […]
Local news from the substance misuse field
[…] the facilities and given them the chance to meet staff, ask questions and learn about what goes on at the charity, including the needle exchange and other harm reduction activities. The service’s executive director, Lisa Parker, said they were extremely pleased at the turnout at the events and added, ‘The events have also been an […]
European heroin market worth EUR 5bn a year
[…] by synthetic opioids,’ EMCDDA states. ‘This can be attributed to protective factors such as strict prescribing practices, social healthcare provisions in most countries, and well-developed treatment and harm reduction services for existing opioid users.’ However, they are increasingly being detected in places like Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden, and urgent action is needed to ‘increase preparedness’, […]
A big welcome to EDP and new services in Staffordshire and NE prisons
[…] and ways of working.” Also, today, Humankind will begin a new drug and alcohol service, commissioned by Staffordshire County Council. Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service (STARS) includes harm reduction, care coordination, clinical interventions, recovery and aftercare. The new service, commissioned for 5 years, will have bases across the county, including Stafford, Newcastle-Under-Lyme and Burton. In […]
The DDN Conference 2023
[…] should come? Everyone, it’s as simple as that! What makes this event unique is the diversity of its delegates. It’s a chance to meet and network with harm reduction advocates, recovery communities, representatives from central and local government, family support services, drug policy campaign groups, and inspiring individuals who are challenging stigma and fighting for […]
Vital connections
[…] for strategies that sit on the page and make little sense in the hand-to-mouth environment of the street. Crossley dismisses ‘off the shelf’ recovery and talks about harm reduction side by side – part of the ‘whole person’ vision. ‘I hate that word “motivation”,’ says Crossley, referring to target-speak for a moment. ‘Our guys have […]
DDN October 2023
[…] but is now working with inspiring visual artists who hope to be regulars on the cultural calendar. For further inspiration, travel 20 years with Kaleidoscope (p20), trailblazing harm reduction in the community. Read the October issue as an online magazine or download the PDF here Claire Brown, editor Please send your letters and comment to claire@cjwellings.com DDN Magazine October […]
Biden pardons thousands convicted of cannabis possession
US president Joe Biden has officially pardoned thousands of people who have convictions for possessing cannabis. The pardons are for ‘simple possession’ offences, and do not extend to convictions for selling or trafficking the drug. President Biden: Sending people to prison for possession has upended too many lives. ‘As I often said during my campaign […]
UKHRA
The UKHRA are a campaigning coalition of drug users, health and social care workers, criminal justice workers and educationalists that aims to put public health and human rights at the centre of drug treatment and service provision for drug users. www.ukhra.org/ UKHRA (United Kingdom Harm Reduction Alliance)
PDF Version
[…] anthrax outbreak? p6 INsIde story How a struggle with mental health issues saw Frankie end up in prison p14 Prof Ile John-Peter Kools on the challenges to harm reduction in an age of austerity p18 Why practitioners should also look after themselves b […]
Humankind set to offer drug and alcohol support to people in Sheffield
[…] work, to afford more people in Sheffield the support to access recovery services and improve their wellbeing.” The new service will include a range of support including harm reduction, care coordination, clinical and therapeutic interventions. As part of our aftercare and recovery support we will continue to work with people who become abstinent to help […]
Latin American states consider consequences of drug reform
[…] a move from criminalisation to public health in drug policy, abstinence-only approaches had still dominated, ‘even in the health sphere’, said director of the Open Society International Harm Reduction Program, Daniel Wolfe. ‘These scenarios offer a chance for leaders to replace indiscriminate detention and rights abuses with approaches that distinguish between users and traffickers and […]
DDN June 2017
[…] despite diminishing resources. Turn to page 8 for a comprehensive briefing on fentanyl – a drug with many highly dangerous forms that requires a robust and proactive harm reduction and education strategy, rather than a knee-jerk ‘ban everything’ reaction. Then carry on to page 12 to hear feedback from young people on how to engage […]
Potent struggle
[…] comes in many forms. Martin Blakebrough is the CEO of Kaleidoscope and was in Uganda as a guest of Pont from 2 January to 28 February. For more information about Pont visit http://pont-mbale.org.uk Kaleidoscope’s conference, ‘From harm reduction to mindfulness’ is on 14 May in Newport, Gwent. Details at www.kaleidoscopeproject.org.uk Martin Blakeborough Uganda 1 Uganda 2
1st February issue
[…] of this field but they should never introduce an either/or option to fundamental treatment rights. We know that – but do our politicians? Never has the tired old harm reduction versus abstinence debate seemed so hollow and we must insist on public health policy that learns from this tragedy. As Andy Stonard points out (page 8), now is […]
Young people’s drug use could be 20 per cent higher than estimated
[…] really important research which shows how widespread use of drugs and alcohol by young people is and gives us important evidence to inform both local policy and harm reduction and treatment responses.’ Testing the validity of national drug surveys: comparison between a general population cohort and household surveys published in the journal Addiction at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/add.15371 teenager […]
Overdose prevention centres could save ‘thousands’ of lives, says major evidence review
[…] how many people are likely to use the facilities in the UK (https://www.drinkanddrugsnews.com/the-right-fix/). Dr Gillian Shorter: ‘These spaces aim to meet people where they’re at.’ ‘These are harm-reduction spaces which aim to meet people where they are at, provide health support and basic facilities, and keep people alive,’ said the study’s lead author, Dr […]
Caring and compassionate
[…] recognised addictions accreditation. Nursing gives the opportunity to work in a variety of roles within services including providing specialist interventions in physical and mental health, leading on harm reduction initiatives for bloodborne viruses, needle exchange, provision of naloxone, and support with detoxification from alcohol and/or other drugs. Some nurses choose to study at Masters level, […]
The emperor’s new clothes
[…] suggesting that clients should be forced to reduce scripts or to detox against their wishes. The first aim of treatment should be to keep clients safe and harm reduction must be central to any treatment system, as should options for maintenance prescribing and long-term support. However, If we as a sector are saying that 6.63 […]
Consensus politics
[…] the event’s feedback has been negative, with talk of progressive nations giving in to hardline states like Russia (see news story page 5, and comment facing page). Harm Reduction International (HRI) and the STOPAIDS network of organisations even urged the UK government not to sign the joint ministerial statement adopted at the end of the […]
Zero tolerance, zero cure
[…] drugs remains the main driver of the epidemic (more than 57 per cent of new cases in 2014). Despite this, Russian officials continue with their dogmatic approach to harm reduction and in particular OST. Ignoring the overwhelming scientific evidence, the UN recommendations, and numerous examples of countries which successfully use OST for HIV prevention and drug […]
DDN Publication dates 2021
[…] health (Mental Health Awareness Week, 18-23 May) Nursing Alcohol June Volunteering (Volunteers’ Week, 1-6 June) Carers’ Week (8-13 June) Training & careers Criminal Justice Early trauma July/August Harm reduction (International OD Awareness Day, 31 Aug) Focus on nursing Hep C (World Hepatitis Day, 28 July) Ideas & innovations September Recovery Month Overseas developments Homelessness & […]
Categorise people dependent on drugs as high-risk population, government urged
[…] such as methadone and buprenorphine, it adds, while systems also need to be put in place to ensure an adequate supply of sterile injecting equipment and other harm reduction supplies, including naloxone. Failure to protect this population would cost ‘far more both financially and in lives lost’ than the investment in treatment and the other […]
Firm foundations
[…] per cent decreases in both resident A&E use and admissions to hospital, and an 18 per cent fall in safeguarding concerns including risk of suicide and self- harm. What all this tells us is that Housing First is so much more than a homelessness intervention. As an effective health and social care intervention, that […]
Brink of success
[…] we’ve got to be really careful that the government doesn’t hijack it as a means to a political end, because when that happens those people who are harm reduction advocates aren’t able to see us recovery folks in a well-meaning light. ‘They just see us as being part of the Tory agenda, and we’re absolutely […]
On borrowed time
[…] Focus drug policy on health, mental health and social inclusion, looking particularly at people with multiple needs, such as mental health issues and homelessness. • Develop a harm reduction strategy to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths and illness. • Create a national commissioning ombudsman to ensure transparency and accountability. • Widen the Care Quality Commission […]
Cannabis legalisation could see use rise but potency fall
[…] consequences of different potential forms of regulation, with laissez-faire reforms likely to encourage large numbers of small producers and therefore potentially higher potency levels and consequent long-term harm. Although the impacts on criminal justice and treatment costs would likely be ‘modest’ – at around £200-300m – the document estimates that the tax revenue from […]
Highest ever drug death total for England and Wales
[…] needed to address the escalating drug crisis in the UK (Partner Updates, September 2023): Release, alongside EuroNPUD and other drug treatment service colleagues in the UK, have produced harm reduction advice on nitazenes. (News, January 2023): Fentanyl behind 80% increase in New York’s overdose deaths Search the DDN archive for more on nitazenes, fentanyl and synthetic opioids. […]
Focus on Residential Treatment: Acer Unit
[…] ensure relapse prevention plans are in place and focus on recovery. The group and individual sessions draw from a range of psychological techniques based on models of harm reduction and relapse prevention. The service also ensures a balanced programme with physical and leisure activities, as well as opportunities to attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous […]
Media Savvy September 2016
[…] to know about quality is that they are dangerous. That’s why it is illegal to possess them. Peter Hitchens, Mail on Sunday, 31 July Debates about harm reduction always follow the same pattern. Hysterical fears are confidently asserted as if proven beyond doubt while potential benefits, often based on considerable research and experience, are […]
Height of awareness: peer-to-peer overdose prevention
[…] year. We arranged events for International Remembrance Day on 21 July and Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August, as well as organising naloxone training for our local harm reduction week at the end of August. We have been able to raise awareness, distribute naloxone to peers, and cement future working relationships for peer-to-peer distribution of […]
Service user involvement
[…] were lots of conversations being had after the conference because it gave everyone that opportunity to connect. We were really impressed with the balance this year between harm reduction and recovery, and it was great to see Public Health England responding to the NAG group. Spitalfields Community Trust The most important part of the event […]
October issue
[…] significant part – but the UKRF summit brought all parties to the table to be part of the dialogue (cover story, page 8). Rather than the all-too-frequent polarised arguments, harm reduction and recovery were acknowledged as traditional bedfellows and the debate moved on to making sure everyone knew the rules of the game when taking debate to a political […]
DDN September 2020
[…] (p15) highlights the resources we have for informing treatment – what could be more effective than learning from the experts? Overdose Awareness Day should teach us that harm reduction is not an optional extra, but a matter of life over death. Stigma at home and abroad is standing in the way of essential progress and […]
Coverage from the 8th national service user conference
[…] London before moving into a hostel that had a substance misuse unit. He trained as a peer support worker then went on to become a mentor, delivering harm reduction advice on an outreach basis in Soho. ‘We were talking to people in their own community – that’s crucial,’ he stressed. In 2005 he’d moved back […]
Ireland considers consumption rooms and decriminalisation for personal use
[…] that suits the Irish context and be evidence based. I believe that this kind of approach will only work if it is accompanied by timely treatment and harm reduction services, backed up by wrap-around supports which foster recovery – such as housing, health and social care. Above all, the model must be person-centred and involve […]
Big strides made in elimination of hepatitis C, but still a long way to...
[…] caused by injecting drugs, we have the specialist knowledge to be able to support the majority of people who have the condition. “We work closely with NHS harm reduction teams, who put people in the community in touch with us. We take over their care at this point – which could be anything from testing […]
DDN September 2022
[…] and success of essential parts of the treatment system, including hepatitis C initiatives (p10 & 16). Let’s also remember (p25) that they are vital to designing a harm reduction system that makes sense. Starting this month, our new series on career development looks at the essential role of the recovery/keyworker. Send your professional queries to […]
Expressions of interest
[…] treatment activities as a minimum: Recovery Navigation (Single Point of Contact, Case Management and Care Coordination), Structured Psychosocial Interventions, Clinical Interventions, Primary Care Substance Misuse Liaison and Support, Recovery Community Activities, Harm Reduction Activities, Needs Led Drug Testing, Hospital Liaison and Support, Family and Carer Support, Criminal Justice Pathway and Aftercare & Reintegration services. A maximum annual contract value of up […]
Consensus politics
[…] the event’s feedback has been negative, with talk of progressive nations giving in to hardline states like Russia (see news story page 5, and comment facing page). Harm Reduction International (HRI) and the STOPAIDS network of organisations even urged the UK government not to sign the joint ministerial statement adopted at the end of the […]
Safeguarding Sanctuary
[…] regular phone contact with the perpetrator when she arrived, who would often try to manipulate her, use controlling and coercive behaviour, give verbal abuse and threaten self- harm if she didn’t return home. SafeNet supported Kerry to stop contact and she attended domestic abuse groups at Jane’s Place. Extensive safety planning work was done […]
The Dame Carol Black review is a major opportunity to revitalise how we support...
[…] first ‘find a needle exchange’ service, have new online groups, and new overdose prevention illustrated guides such as on how to use naloxone, ensuring people can access harm reduction information without having to come into a service. We must continue to explore new innovative ways to reach more people. Diversifying our services also means designing […]
A diverse service for a diverse population
[…] informed working alongside consultant Occupational Therapists takes place, speech and language therapy is on offer. Hands on activity-based sessions look at promoting relapse prevention skills and raising harm reduction knowledge, respecting people with different learning styles and abilities. Voices and Visions is another Phoenix intervention which takes place weekly to support clients with mental health […]
Letters
[…] like to provide the evidence to support them. David Prentice, via email Give us a clue ‘There are figures on both sides of recovery and human rights/ harm reduction who share views and are looking for points of connection and trying to collaborate,’ says Mat Southwell in your interview (DDN, February, page 17). This may […]
Keeping older users in treatment
[…] around. So there are questions about how the new investment is used, and how you then deliver change.’ The Keeping people safe report stresses the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions, and plans for a consumption room in Glasgow appear to be nearing fruition (DDN, July/August, page 4). A key part of addressing individual need is […]
DDN March 2020
[…] to work ‘but then it was just unbelievable, how different it is.’ The GPs at their recent conference (page 12) also threw their weight behind this evidence-based harm reduction, so what are we waiting for? See you at our conference on 18 March! Claire Brown, editor Read the magazine as an e-magazine or download the […]
Government announces major workforce expansion for the field
[…] she added. Ed Day: A crucial step towards a ‘full continuum of care’ The plan would also be crucial to delivering a ‘full continuum of care from harm reduction, through engagement and behaviour change, to long-term recovery support’, said government recovery champion Dr Ed Day. ‘The clear timescales plot a road map to rebuilding the […]
BTC Programme
[…] zone . - Open meetings with NUN and other organizations. - Live music . - Open mic ‘Soapbox’ area . - Drop -in suggestion wall . - Harm Reduct ion café . 2.00pm -3.30pm : Interactive session , chaired by Carole Sharma . - Several short service user (individual or group) presentations, demonstrating inspiring […]
Stick it to the man
[…] the creativity and calculated risk-taking that UKHRA, the Methadone Alliance, Exchange Supplies, NDUDA, Mainliners, HIT and Lifeline were utilising to tackle inequalities, challenge the status quo, pioneer harm reduction initiatives and reduce drug-related deaths… and we picked up the torch, carried it on, shared in the successes, learned from the mistakes and suddenly we had […]
Turning Point unveils wide-ranging hep C strategy
[…] virus as a major public health threat by 2030. The charity will provide testing and specialist treatment, as well as use staff training and the sharing of harm reduction information to help eradicate the condition. ‘We are proud to be playing a part in eliminating the virus as a public health threat,’ said chief executive […]
Campaigners call for urgent reform in sixth annual day of action
[…] in the day of action can ‘reclaim the message’, says Support. Don’t Punish. The campaign’s key aim is that future drug policy should focus on health and harm reduction. It wants to see an end to both the criminalisation of people who use drugs and the use of harsh or disproportionate punishments for people involved […]
New alcohol and drug service launches for Bradford district
[…] We want people to know that this service will be there for you in your recovery journey.” New Vision Bradford will include a range of support including harm reduction, care coordination, clinical and therapeutic interventions. The service will also provide support for family members. New Vision Bradford will continue to work with people who become […]
Never a dull moment
[…] they warn that its annexation of Crimea means that the peninsula’s drug users are now at the mercy of its ‘highly repressive’ and ‘deeply punitive’ approach, while harm reduction organisations brand the joint ministerial statement issued at the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna a ‘capitulation’ to hardline states. APRIL A hard-hitting report […]
Programme
[…] zone . - Open meetings with NUN and other organizations. - Live music . - Open mic ‘Soapbox’ area . - Drop -in suggestion wall . - Harm Reduction café . 2.00pm -3.30pm : Interactive session , chaired by Carole Sharma . - Several short service user (individual or group) presentations, demonstrating inspiring personal stories […]
DDN March 2017
[…] and services must make their voices heard in the fray of local authority commissioning. ‘Challenge cuts, challenge discrimination,’ said our speakers. Central to this is making sure harm reduction is not sacrificed for short-term financial gain. OST, naloxone distribution and more injecting facilities were identified as vitally important – to public health as much as […]
Europeans using more cannabis since pandemic
[…] with 32 per cent saying they were now using more (herbal) cannabis. More than 40 per cent, however, said that they were using less MDMA/ecstasy. Last summer harm reduction organisation The Loop warned clubbers and festival-goers to ‘pace themselves’ as venues started to re-open after lockdown restrictions, particularly as their tolerance may have reduced after […]
Alcohol deaths continue to rise in Scotland
[…] alcohol will only have a limited effect. There must be a renewed national focus on preventing people from drinking to hazardous levels. We would like to see more money put towards harm reduction and treatment services for alcohol, as well as a review of drinks marketing and a wider education programme.’ alcohol deaths Scotland Billy Henderson