Hi Malk
The programme is on BBC2 9pm on tuesday and thursday nights. unfortunately there is only one left to watch- this Thursday night. Apparently there is a book to go with the series. No doubt it will be repeated though.
Seedling
Growing Out of Trouble
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
-
Mr Potato Head
Ha ha ha... No government in recent history whether they read the Guardian or the Telegraph would ever sanction giving away drugs, or decriminalising them, because the press of the opposite ilk would instantly declare war!
A problem with Barry B's statistics is that he assumes everyone with a heroin addiction is a criminal. It's frighteningly common for Heroin addicts to hold down quite responsible jobs. It's when poverty drives people to heroin that heroin drives people to crime.
Let us not forget that crimes are also committed by people that can't afford to buy alcohol - and that's legal...
Anyway, much kudos to MD for his project. As is so often the case, showing people that they have power over their own lives helps them realise that they don't need to rely on a crutch or anaesthetic...
A problem with Barry B's statistics is that he assumes everyone with a heroin addiction is a criminal. It's frighteningly common for Heroin addicts to hold down quite responsible jobs. It's when poverty drives people to heroin that heroin drives people to crime.
Let us not forget that crimes are also committed by people that can't afford to buy alcohol - and that's legal...
Anyway, much kudos to MD for his project. As is so often the case, showing people that they have power over their own lives helps them realise that they don't need to rely on a crutch or anaesthetic...
Yes - I'm with you on this one Mr PH. Another flaw in Barry's article is the assumption that 'middle class people' caught by speed cameras are innocent.
Apart from the physical and psychological depence on addictive substances - one of the commonest features spoken about by people who misuse substances is the element of risk and the associated excitement. That's one of the principles of guiding young people to other activities, such as extreme sports, in order to get that feeling of risk taking and elation.
Monty's used a similar approach by using the idea of improving people's self esteem whilst also trying to improve their physical health in order to give them some insight into how they might feel about themselves and how others see them.
One of the medics I work with always addresses new substance misuse patients in a formal manner at their first appointment - " Good morning Mr Jones" - then goes on to ask them whether they wish to be called by their first name of their full name/nickname/whatever in the future. His theory is that it is likely that they will only have been called 'the offender', 'crack head', 'scum', 'soak' or worse in their recent past and by recognising them formally as an equal he is not making any assumptions about them. It also affords them the same level of respect that any patient would expect from a doctor on their first meeting. It's such a little thing but I'm always reminded of it's impact when you see people respond.
One of the things I like about the MD project is that he set a standard and kept to it, even when it would have been easier to lower it at times.
As for the prescribed control of drugs - that would only be be workable for people already addicted. The legalisation of drugs has some appeal to many of the professionals working with people with addictions but one of the biggest problems is that we know so little about the long term effects of a range of drugs. It's only now that we have significant numbers of pensioners who are still addicted following the increased drug use of the 60's. Before that, it was mostly opium that was commonly used. We've also seriously misjudged things with the downgrading of cannabis, having discovered the massive impact it can have on people's mental health.
I think it's time I stopped now before I turn folk off - except to say that the most difficult drug to get people off is tobacco and you will notice that even those that manage to get off cocaine and/or heroin will usually continue to smoke.
Apart from the physical and psychological depence on addictive substances - one of the commonest features spoken about by people who misuse substances is the element of risk and the associated excitement. That's one of the principles of guiding young people to other activities, such as extreme sports, in order to get that feeling of risk taking and elation.
Monty's used a similar approach by using the idea of improving people's self esteem whilst also trying to improve their physical health in order to give them some insight into how they might feel about themselves and how others see them.
One of the medics I work with always addresses new substance misuse patients in a formal manner at their first appointment - " Good morning Mr Jones" - then goes on to ask them whether they wish to be called by their first name of their full name/nickname/whatever in the future. His theory is that it is likely that they will only have been called 'the offender', 'crack head', 'scum', 'soak' or worse in their recent past and by recognising them formally as an equal he is not making any assumptions about them. It also affords them the same level of respect that any patient would expect from a doctor on their first meeting. It's such a little thing but I'm always reminded of it's impact when you see people respond.
One of the things I like about the MD project is that he set a standard and kept to it, even when it would have been easier to lower it at times.
As for the prescribed control of drugs - that would only be be workable for people already addicted. The legalisation of drugs has some appeal to many of the professionals working with people with addictions but one of the biggest problems is that we know so little about the long term effects of a range of drugs. It's only now that we have significant numbers of pensioners who are still addicted following the increased drug use of the 60's. Before that, it was mostly opium that was commonly used. We've also seriously misjudged things with the downgrading of cannabis, having discovered the massive impact it can have on people's mental health.
I think it's time I stopped now before I turn folk off - except to say that the most difficult drug to get people off is tobacco and you will notice that even those that manage to get off cocaine and/or heroin will usually continue to smoke.