Drug busts make for great self-congratulatory social media posts for forces who need to be seen as tough on crime, but aggressive policing tactics come at a human cost… I saw the post-house raid selfie you tweeted today. You know, the one where ten balaclava-clad men – carrying weapons – ran into an average-looking terraced house. … Continued
With the ongoing climate crisis, there has never been a more urgent need to question our relationship to material production; currently the construction industry contributes to 40 percent of global carbon emissions. This figure is related not only to the operating energy of the building, the heating and maintenance, but also the materials used … Continued
Greater Manchester Police have again showcased their drug arrests on social media. It’s only one example of day to day media activity from British police, but it is notable how professional it looks. It really concerns me that police in the U.K. are getting so slick at social media. You could argue that they’re … Continued
Earlier this month, Volteface Director Paul and Research Officer Nicole hopped on a train to Nottingham to visit BAC-IN, a grass roots, peer-led addiction recovery service for BAME people. During our visit, we spoke to Co-founder/Managing Director Sohan Sahota and Senior Recovery Worker David Thomas to get a sense of what BAC-IN do, and … Continued
Media reporting has time and again failed to provide correct information about the circumstances of drug deaths, evidencing the stigma and disdain with which those who take drugs are treated. Last week, news outlets reported the story of a 23-year-old who tragically died shortly after consuming edibles laced with synthetic cannabinoids. On March 29, … Continued
Arguments about drug policy reform often focus exclusively on the left and the right… yet, in all this we forget that whilst our political system may be split between two parties, a large section of the public identifies as centrists Arguments about drug policy reform often focus exclusively on the left and the right; after … Continued
This British tax haven has proven to be a lucrative destination for criminals over the years. Hannah Willey and Karli Wellington drove off the ferry towards Guernsey’s customs’ checkpoint. Inside their Audi, there was 1.2 kilos of cocaine and four kilos of cannabis. The drugs had been double vacuum-packed then dipped in white spirit to … Continued
If taken for diarrhea, and in accordance with the instructions on the box, there are no harmful effects associated with loperamide use. However, when taken in a mistaken attempt to numb the effects of opiate withdrawal, by increasing the dosage multiple times, it can rapidly become dangerous – even fatal. Withdrawing from opiates can be … Continued
The latest book from Professor David Nutt is a one-stop-shop for everything you could ever need to know about cannabis. As the world slowly but unstoppably moves away from a century of cannabis prohibition, this book acts as an indispensable guide to the past, present and future of cannabis and its uses across the … Continued
If you’re from the UK or US, you’ve most likely heard of benzodiazepines, or ‘benzos’ for short. They’re commonly used as a form of tranquilliser in medical fields for treating anxiety and sleep disorders. When prescribed by medical professionals and taken correctly, benzos such as diazepam can be lifesavers for individuals experiencing anxiety attacks … Continued