When a Bournemouth theatre looked at putting on an educational play about addiction, the director realised she
needed the input of those who had 'been there'. The venture that emerged, Vita Nova (page 8), completely
exceeded expectation, opening doors to engage not only with schoolchildren, but with police and local services.
As well as making their mark on the difficult territory of young people's education, those involved in the group
have also had chance to expand their own horizons with educational projects and creative learning – an inspiring
example of two-way service user involvement that's life changing in many respects.
Mel had a very different experience of the personal and professional coming together when, as an addiction
therapist, he found himself faced with the alcohol-related death of his brother (page 16). The usual family feelings
of helplessness were further magnified by not being able to use his knowledge to stop the clock, and we thank
him for sharing such a painful memory. Release's new executive director, Niamh Eastwood, is featured in our
profile interview this month (page 18). You can meet Niamh, Dr Chris Ford (Post-it, page 11), Ken Stringer (page
12), Dr Steve Brinksman (Soapbox, page 23) and others with plenty to say about the vital role of service user
involvement, at our conference in Birmingham on 16 February – hope to see you there!
FEATURES
6 NEWS FOCUS
New guidelines on sentencing people for drugs offences are intended to make the system fairer.
DDN considers whether they do, and if the press has missed the point – again.
8
STAGE STRUCK
– COVER STORY
Started by a group of ex service users, Vita Nova has performed plays and delivered workshops to
more than 100,000 people, including schoolchildren. Ignatius Harling sets the scene.
10 COMPUTERWORLD
Highly controversial at the time, Martin Blakebrough looks back at 20 years of computerised
onsite dispensing at Kaleidoscope’s headquarters.
12 ADAPT TO SURVIVE
The Alliance has reviewed its structure and purpose in light of a new ‘era of recovery’. Chief
executive Ken Stringer gives the thought behind the organisation’s recent changes.
15 GAME CHANGER
The Care Quality Commission has had its share of bad press recently, and is toughening its
approach as a result. But, says David Finney, that shouldn’t be cause for despair.
16 TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Mel Ashton’s role as an addiction therapist couldn’t prepare him for the alcohol-related death of
his brother. He describes what happens when the personal meets the professional.
18
LEGAL CHALLENGER
Release is well into its fifth decade of advising those caught up in the criminal justice system and
advocating for legal reform. David Gilliver talks to new executive director Niamh Eastwood.
20 NEW LANDSCAPE
David Best considers what a genuinely recovery-orientated system of care should look like.
REGULARS
4 NEWS ROUND-UP
: Treatment to be ‘key measure’ of health improvement • Minimum pricing research
questions 45p impact • More lenience for ‘drug mules’ in sentencing guidelines overhaul • Afghan
opium exports ‘15 per cent of GDP’ • News in brief.
7 MEDIA SAVVY
:
Who’s been saying what..?
7
LEGAL LINE
:
Release solicitor Kirstie Douse answers your legal questions. This issue: will a reader’s
cannabis plants land them in jail?
11
LETTERS
: Conspiracy at work?; Naloxone response.
11 POST-ITS FROM PRACTICE:
Cost savings must never undermine quality of care, says Dr Chris Ford.
21 ENTERPRISE CORNER:
How can we give job opportunities to those furthest removed from the labour
market, asks Amar Lodhia.
23 SOAPBOX:
The skills of GPs are more important than ever to the vision of truly integrated healthcare,
says Steve Brinksman, clinical director of SMMGP.
THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE
: JOBS, COURSES, CONFERENCES AND TENDERS
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Two-way street
Service user involvement gives a chance to engage
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