The reason why it’s easy to write, is because Paul, ex-resident of Nascent and now manager at Den’s homeless services, gives an account of his time there which is nothing less than inspirational. When interviewing someone you hope they will be passionate, knowledgeable and someone you can relate to on a human level- Paul was all of these things and ably supported by Pam Payne, representing the staff.

So here it is, the Nascent House video prospectus, please watch and comment:

It was an interesting experience to make. The staff at Nascent were very keen to give input on every detail to make sure the video was done in such a way as to serve the interests of not just future residents, but current residents too. I think that says it all about how serious they are about helping the residents there.

So once again, a huge thanks to everyone who took part, to the residents and staff at Nascent.

Nick Gilbert

In many ways Alastair is typical of CDS attendees- they are mostly young men, likeable and they are regular to chronic smokers.

Alastair’s words are all his own, we were lucky to find such an eloquent speaker and believe he puts some compelling arguments in support of the CDS, which Druglink is actively working to promote in new areas of the country. I hope you find it interesting:

Big thanks to Alastair for his honesty and willingness to talk.

Nick Gilbert

Video Produced and Edited by Nick Gilbert

Jamie Ross was asking the questions.

I suppose that’s the key to the Cannabis Diversion Scheme, (unlike me) our trainers have an expert knowledge about the effects and can transfer some of that knowledge to course attendees.

Much like with our Alcohol Diversion Scheme, the ‘CDS’ is not designed to convert attendees to a particular programme or to lecture at them. Attendees are there because they have been caught in possession of some form of cannabis and given a choice by the police: either they pay an £80 fine or combine paying a £40 sum and take part in the approximately two hour course.

I say ‘take part’ because the course is not passive. Using anonymous remotes multiple-choice questions are put to the people in the room, the spread of answers are indicated as a graph, giving instant feedback to the trainer in what they do and do not know about the risks they are taking.

It is up to them to take the next step equipped with what they’ve learnt.

In popular culture, many would have it that the effects of Cannabis are limited to pink-eye,

Picture by Nena B. on Flickr

the munchies and the giggles. In reality it is scientifically accepted and becoming increasingly well-known that Cannabis exacerbates and triggers mental health problems. This was why it was reclassified from a Class C to a Class B drug in 2009.

Now studies are beginning to reveal the physical harm too.

There are 50% more carcinogens in Cannabis than in tobacco.

The harm is increased when smoked in a joint because the smoke is not usually properly filtered, furthermore joints tend to be smoked down to a point much closer to the mouth than ordinary cigarettes.

Some studies have found that head or throat cancers are as much 36 times more likely for those who smoke cannabis in conjuction with a heavy cigarette intake.

By the time it hits the streets, cannabis has often been cut with various impurities

Regardless of whether the criminalisation of this plant is right or wrong, the fact remains that its unregulated suppliers routinely increase their profits by adding impurities to the product, leaving the unsuspecting smoker inhaling substances like animal dung, rubber, diesel or even, thanks to some particularly unscrupulous producers, glass.

Much of the governmental drug strategies of the last decade have focussed on the problematic Class A users, the sorts of people who are the stereotypical ‘druggies’ in the public conscience.

The Cannabis Diversion Scheme engages that larger percentage of the population who are Class B users yet are not in treatment for drug use, they are a hidden part of our society’s drug use profile.

Early diversion can prevent more serious usage and reduce the risk of Cannabis becoming a chronic habit. For the user, it gives a full and frank assessment of the legal risks of getting caught in possession for a second time and provides a road map guide to the stages of addiction.

The scheme has been in operation in Hertfordshire since December 2009. Our evaluation and feedback from attendees has been very positive-

98% of those who attended said they would recommend the course to others, almost a quarter made the choice to cease usage altogether.

Buoyed by our success in Hertfordshire, Druglink are in the process of extending the scheme out to other areas of the UK.

To find out more about the Cannabis Diversion Scheme visit our website, where you can find contact information for our trainers.

For more detailed information on Cannabis or other drugs, check the Drugscope online resources.

Nick Gilbert- Druglink Media Officer

A familiar sight?

To most of us ‘bingeing’ means drinking quickly and heavily with the goal of feeling the effects of alcohol. The NHS defines a ‘binge’ as drinking more than double the daily recommended units of alcohol in one session.

If, like me, you didn’t know the recommended units (hey, I’m only the media officer!), the upper limits of  safe consumption per day are four units for a man and three for a woman. This means drinking  nine or more would be binge drinking for a man, and seven plus for a woman.

Having observed and enjoyed one of the Alcohol Diversion Scheme (ADS) meetings last weekend, I can say it seems that for many drinkers these volumes could be considered a pretty quiet night.

Unit counts for ADS attendees are frequently well above twenty and in some cases they are well, well, well above twenty, and you would need this unit calculator to add them all up.

This is not in itself surprising, as those who are attending the course have been referred to Druglink after being arrested under Section 5 of the Public Order Act or charged with being drunk and disorderly. Later on they are contacted and it is explained to them that they have a choice between paying the full ‘on the spot’ fine of £80 or paying£40 and attending the Alcohol Diversion Scheme. This scheme created and run by Druglink lasts approximately two hours.

Druglink’s ADS scheme has been running in it’s pilot county of Hertfordshire since 2007 and successful outcomes there have seen it start to spread across the UK, to South Wales, Derbyshire, Devon, Cornwall and Kent.

Mick Pryce is Chief Inspector for the Dacorum (West Hertfordshire) constabulary and has seen the project come into fruition on his watch.

We spoke to him recently and he explained the goals of the course, that the course is designed to educate and inform and to respect the attendees right to then make an informed decision about how they drink:

“What we’re saying to them is in the cold light of day, let’s just examine the risks you’re taking and the very real consequences which can have life changing effects for you… The way the course is delivered and the way it comes across, it changes people’s thinking.

Because the course is so inclusive, its not a lecture, it’s participative, the people who attend are asked about their experiences, it’s done in a very adult, informal way, I think that’s why people switch on.”

The course uses interactive technology to instantly survey knowledge of the group with key pads à la ‘Who wants to be a millionaire?‘, combined with some hard-hitting facts and a friendly instructor who listens, rather than judges. The positive feedback from many of those who attend has helped the course to flourish. What our feedback also shows is that, prior to attending the course, many people drink without awareness of the consequences.

Take, for example, the physical effects. Every tissue and organ of the body is effected. Many know of things like liver disease, damage to skin or the heart, but did you know alcohol is a cause of mouth cancer? (Be grateful that I didnt put a picture up to illustrate mouth cancer’s effects, it’s not pretty). Did you know the average ages of mouth cancer sufferers is falling, whilst the total number of cases is on the rise?

Do you have any idea about how many calories are contained within your drink of choice? Or how long it takes for alcohol from a night of excess to leave the body? It may well be much longer than you might think.

The course is not about abstinence but about making your own informed decision.

The course is designed for the modern world we live in. For some who attend the course it has triggered their own pre-existing  urge to become abstinent, but that is by no means the main aim. Indeed neither of my colleagues who run the course here in Hertfordshire are teetotallers, in fact they would tell you that they enjoy a (responsible) tipple.

Druglink will not tell you alcohol is the ‘demon drink’, instead the course urges reflection on the risks of drinking even though you may be able to ‘handle’ it.  Statistics show that if you are under the influence of alcohol you are more likely to be a victim of a crime committed by another- be they drunk or be they sober. Alcohol can change the way one reacts by impairing judgement and awareness should trouble loom its ugly head.

For more information about the Alcohol Diversion Scheme and its cousin the Cannabis Diversion Scheme take a look on our website where we have evaluations and video feedback.

Nick Gilbert – Media Officer for Druglink.