Almost a century of evidence demonstrates that punitive, enforcement-led approaches to drugs have failed everywhere they have been tried. Prohibition and criminalisation were supposed to eradicate drug markets, deter people from using drugs, prevent harm and protect people - but they have done the opposite of that. Today, despite ballooning drug enforcement budgets, expanding drug [...]
All grief is isolating. We cannot help but feel that we are alone in the pain and the sadness of our loss. But in many ways I have been fortunate because I have been very well supported by a partner, close friends and family who have been extraordinarily understanding, who have reached out to [...]
This blog was written by Brian, a member of the Anyone's Child Family Network. In my previous blog post, I talked about the shame associated with drug taking: how that shame is at least partly a consequence of the criminalization of the use of drugs, how that shame leads to isolation, and how that isolation [...]
This blog was written by Anyone's Child campaigner Brian, whose son, Tom, died three days after his 37th birthday. This blog is the first of a series of reflections about my son’s death and the circumstances in which it took place. When my beloved son died in April 2020, it was in the middle [...]
This blog is written by Anyone's Child campaigner, Brian. People often say that you can never be prepared for the death of your child. I cannot imagine anything more shocking and distressing, but there are ways in which I had been preparing for it from the moment he was born. I wasn’t ready for it. [...]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27th September 2021 West Yorkshire: Take Drugs Seriously Bereaved families and former police officers call for drugs to be legalised and regulated *Exclusive opportunity to visit the UK’s first Overdose Prevention Centre Ambulance.* This is a free event [...]
Anyone's Child meets Chris Daw QC We're delighted to present the latest in our 'Meet the Experts' series of films where we interview leading professionals whose work has led them to question our current prohibitionist approach to drugs. Chris Daw is one of the most notable barristers in the country having practised law for [...]
This blog was written by Ben Twomey, Head of Policy for the National Youth Advocacy Service and former drugs policy lead for three Police and Crime Commissioners, in West Midlands, Warwickshire and County Durham. He has also led on related issues including stop and search, organised crime, youth engagement and homelessness. Article originally published [...]
Early this year we headed to Middlesbrough to meet the pioneering and inspirational Daniel Ahmed who has led the way in setting up a Heroin Assisted Treatment clinic in Middlesbrough (the North East currently record the highest levels of drug related deaths in England). Heroin Assisted Treatment involves registered patients receiving medical-grade heroin as [...]
To mark the Northern Ireland: Take Drugs Seriously Webinar, we are highlighting the stories of people who work in drug treatment services in the region. Join us on Thursday 1st April at 19:00 BST to hear from more people with expertise and lived experience about why they campaign for a new approach. Register here. [...]
