There's a risk of compromising quality
when you're doing rehabilitation in a recession, says Robbie
Davison (cover story, page 8). His Can Cook venture is an inspiring example to the contrary. Aware that quality
and innovation can go hand in hand to attract partnership and investment, he has made the third essential
ingredient the skills of workers. The fact that staff are ex-offenders or people recovering from drug or alcohol
problems becomes secondary to the fact that they become Can Cook franchisees, using their skills and
experience to move into self-employment. This is no token rehabilitation but an investment by both parties – a
true enterprise where each gives as good as it gets. It’s a valuable blueprint – and we need more.
Learning from experience is often a two-way experience and we have been so lucky over the past six years
to have had Dr Chris Ford as our columnist. Not only has she become a valued friend of DDN and many of
our readers, but she has shared insights from her own doctor-patient relationships that have taught us
volumes about responsive treatment. The response I received from this reader was typical: ‘Every time you
print an article from Dr Chris Ford, it really touches me in so many ways. I just feel she is one in a million in her
understanding and dedication towards the field.’ We wish her happiness in her retirement.
FEATURES
6 NEWS FOCUS
Tabloid hysteria, misinformation and a potential legislative minefield characterise
the new generation of synthetic drugs. DDN reports.
8
RECIPE FOR REHABILITATION
– COVER STORY
Can Cook is aiming to shake up the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and people
with substance problems. David Gilliver speaks to its director, Robbie Davison.
11 OBITUARY
Remembering a much-missed friend and colleague, Johnny Ruttledge.
12 THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL
Drugs Meter allows people to get feedback on their drug use. AdamWinstock explains.
15 REGAINING CONTROL
Mary McMurran and Steve Delight explain about COVAID, an intervention for people
prone to drink-related violence.
16 RESONATING MESSAGE
Services are at risk of losing sight of their core purpose, says Chris Robin.
18 WHAT’S UP, DOC?
Clare Gerada discusses what the future might hold for substance misuse services.
20 NURTURING THE ROOTS OF RECOVERY
BSURF explain how they’re making the momentum around recovery work for them.
REGULARS
4 NEWS ROUND-UP
: 300m drug users world-wide by ‘end of century’ • Unions criticise services
handover to third sector • News in brief.
7 MEDIA SAVVY
: Who’s been saying what..?
7
LEGAL LINE
:
Release solicitor Kirstie Douse answers your legal questions.
This issue: can a reader grow cannabis to help with back pain?
10 POLICY SCOPE
: Engaging with police and crime commissioners is a vital partnership, says Marcus Roberts.
10
LETTERS
: No brainer; A4E in fine health; Cycle challenge.
17 ENTERPRISE CORNER
:
Austerity doesn’t excuse atrocity, says Amar Lodhia.
19
FAMILY MATTERS
:
Struggling with disadvantage shouldn’t qualify ‘troubled’ families who need
support as ‘troublesome’, says Joss Smith.
21 VOICES OF RECOVERY
: Watch out for the recovery movement, says Alistair Sinclair.
22 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE
:
For more than six years, Dr Chris Ford has shared her experiences
in the surgery with DDN readers. This month she bids us goodbye.
23 SOAPBOX:
These days it’s all a numbers game, says Alex Boyt. But are they the right numbers?
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE:
COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
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