The Children’s Inquiry is a seminal report that examines how UK cannabis policies and laws are impacting on the very people who they aim to protect – children and young people. Using new figures and interviews, the report investigates how young people obtain cannabis and the type of cannabis they are using, the impact … Continued
The extent to which drugs have taken hold in our jails was detailed by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in his annual report last month. “The ready availability of drugs in too many of our prisons sits behind much of the violence,” Peter Clarke said. “We are regularly told by prisoners how easy it is … Continued
In an interview on France Inter radio last week, French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said she is considering regulating medical cannabis in France. This is a welcoming announcement that means medical cannabis is no longer a taboo topic, and that we’ll be able to have a real conversation about it in a country that is … Continued
Last weekend saw both the start of the UK summer festival season and the abrupt end to one of its festivals – forced to close early due to two drug-related deaths and over 15 hospital admissions. Sadly another two young adults have been added to the growing list of festival drug casualties. This same weekend, … Continued
Inmates are killing themselves after racking up huge drugs debts inside prison, the trade union for prison officers has warned. Joe Simpson, assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), said the Government’s plans to crackdown on drugs through targeting mobile phones, criminal gangs and drones would come to nothing without more staff to … Continued
On 27 March 2018, the Criminal Justice Centre, Queen Mary University of London (in collaboration with Volteface) held a conference entitled ‘Evidence and Issues concerning Drug Consumption Rooms‘. Such rooms are designed to be available to vulnerable populations of users, (notably those who use on the streets or in other risky and unhygienic conditions) and they aim … Continued
The UN General Assembly (GA) is responsible for passing the three main international drug conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988 that shape modern drug policy. The UN bodies specifically dedicated to drug policy are the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Commission of Narcotic Drugs (CND). The International Narcotics … Continued
Adulterants are commonplace in contemporary illicit drugs. The use of rat poison may have been an urban legend, but many of the substances that are used would be extremely toxic to a rat. Profit-driven dealers at all levels of the supply chain add substances to “bulk, dilute, complement or enhance the effects of the drugs”. … Continued
We are looking for guest writers and contributors for our online magazine. Our aim is to explore the policy and politics of drug reform from science, health, lifestyle, culture, business, crime and economic perspectives. If you have an interest in this area, strong writing skills and would like to contribute, please get in touch at … Continued
The UK’s night time economy is failing to protect its most valuable asset: the people who go out and enjoy it. Night Lives: Reducing Drug-Related Harms in the Night Time Economy, a joint report by The Loop, Volteface, Durham University and The All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform highlights the urgent need for measures … Continued