Making it up as we go along ...
If Julian Critchley is right and the tragedy of British drug policy is that it is "dictated by tabloid irrationality", why haven't people in positions of influence done anything about it? And what should drive policy anyway? If we believe "The Thick of It" its a mixture of political expedience, quick thinking and a lack of any discernible conviction whatsoever. If we believe Yes Minister, its a matter of what remains after the civil service and the politicians have outsmarted each other.
Read More...Joining Things Up (again ....)
(Cartoon courtesy of Hugh
MacLeod and Gaping Void )
Despite the fact
that we have a new drug strategy with a renewed focus
on joined up local working, we don't really have a
structure either locally or nationally that's fit to
deliver it. If the ambitions of the new drug strategy -
particularly those around employment, housing and
reintegration are to be met, we need to learn from our
own history and look at how we can strengthen and
re-establish our approach to partnerships such that
they're up to delivery. Any new structures or
frameworks will need to avoid the pitfalls of the past
- and put the people directly affected by substance use
in the driving seat.
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