Off course we will have presents to open at Christmas, my wee flat may not have stacks of expensive gifts but I'm now a full month off cigarettes, feel so much healthier already & I think one of the best gifts I can give these two this year.

I thought I'd die young & didn't feel

More and more synthetic opioids are coming into the UK, just as so many organisations and individuals warned. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan…

As the UK, and Scotland in particular, move forward with safe facilities, it’s important to note the evidence surrounding them:

The First US Safe Injection Sites Did Not Increase Crime: Study vice.com/en/article/k7z… via VICE News by 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐧

Because prohibition has worked so well in the past. Sorry, may have let a touch of sarcasm slip in just there.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-673442…

Drug decriminalisation policy 'could help with criminal and social issues', Irish report finds (via TheJournal.ie) jrnl.ie/6008630

There’s nothing funny about the move to outlaw laughing gas…

There’s no greater case of drug policy intransigence and going against all available evidence and advice than the Nitrous Oxide. A terrible decision.

theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2… by Eva Wiseman

New suggestions around drug policy and regulation on the Isle of Man.

The Public Health Institute at Liverpool John Moore's University report outlines a range of approaches.

bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur…

Came to #Reform2023 with an idea that Drug Policy Alliance was to focused on just #NoMoreDrugWar in America but was blown away & cried at the opening session when Kassandra Frederique emphasised the international need to end the drug war. In Scotland our suffering & need to end the drug war

The Nitrous Oxide ban, complete with criminalisation for possession, is coming into effect soon. We have to remember how this went against most available advice, including the government’s own independent advisory committee.

By ⁦Jemma Crew⁩ bbc.co.uk/news/uk-671418…

One of our amazing members, Ian Andrew, speaks about his literal nightmares and PTSD from being on the job as a police officer. He spoke of his journey on the new Crime Time Inc podcast, hosted by our wonderful Simon Undercover Author!

Take a read!

thescottishsun.co.uk/news/11312477/…

Why Glasgow needs a safe consumption room.

bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-sco…

Police Scotland have completed the roll out of naloxone to be carried by every operational officer in Scotland, a massive positive step.

scotland.police.uk/advice-and-inf…

Just been helping someone in an overdose in this alley way. Grateful Scottish Ambulance came quickly and are taking them to hospital. If we had somewhere safe and hygienic for people to use drugs they wouldn't be left to use next to human feces
#StopTheDeaths

Reacting the the news this week about a slight decline in drug related deaths in Scotland, Ian Andrew gives his comments.

We always have to remember that behind the statistics there’s real people, real lives.

'The focus of drug policy right now should be on preventing as many fatal overdoses as possible. Instead, America is once again trapped in a disastrous #drugwar that focuses on punishment and retribution over the goal of saving lives.' bit.ly/3KIjre4 By Ryan Hampton.

Report by Connor Gillies on Scottish drug deaths. Featuring comment from Kirsten Horsburgh from Scottish Drugs Forum

(Interesting to note how the crew were pressured out of a location - we often see this, whole areas which become no-go areas)

Well done to Kennedy for this reasoned response to the many overlapping issues around drugs, addiction, crime, mental health, and more. Very useful to see this on FOX channels.

Yes more evidence supporting drug checking and the controlled and regulated availability of currently illicit drugs. theage.com.au/national/victo…

Thanks to 1919, the magazine of the Scottish Police Federation, for asking me to contribute to their Viewpoint section on the Scottish Government's proposed drug policy changes.
1919magazine.co.uk/august2023/

“I stood with a doctor telling the parents of a 15-year-old child there was nothing he could do to save their daughter.”

On Anyone's Child: Families for Safer Drug Control - retired Police Inspector Ian Andrew, LEAP member, speaks openly about his career and drugs:

anyoneschild.org/2023/07/scotti… by our Ian Andrew