DrugScope provides authoritative comment to media outlets both in the UK and abroad. Here is a selection of links to recent articles published online to which DrugScope spokespeople have contributed. Articles will open in a new window.
OnMedica, 13 May 2008
Should cannabis be reclassified? Opinion piece by Martin Barnes.
http://www.onmedica.com/ViewsArticle.aspx?id=d0e7c131-3519-4750-b360-7d00cb418fdb
Guardian, 8 May 2008
Scientists warn Smith over cannabis reclassification
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/may/08/
drugspolicy.drugsandalcohol
Independent, 8 May 2008
Smith tightens laws on cannabis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/
smith-tightens-laws-on-cannabis-822831.html
BBC Radio 4 and Five, 8 May 2008
Interviews
DrugScope's chief executive, Martin Barnes, was interviewed (7th May) on BBC Radio 4's Today programme (7.35am) and Radio Five Live about the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report on cannabis reclassification:
Today (Wednesday - 7.35am): http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/ Radio Five Live (interview starts at 02:16:08 ends at 02:20:44): http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainframe.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/fivelive_aod.shtml?fivelive/
5L_breakfast_wed
Observer, 4 May 2008
Hippy dream, modern nightmare
http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2277790,00.html
BBC Five live interview: 'Addicts gifted Toon tickets', 19 April 2008
Interview
DrugScope's chief executive contributed to a discussion on BBC Five live (19th April) about tickets provided by Newcastle United football club for drug users in treatment. A replay of the programme (Weekend Breakfast) can be accessed here - starts at 02:07:56, ends 02:14:11
Guardian, 16 April 2008
Ins and outs - new appointments in the third sector
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/apr/16/publicsectorcareers
Independent, 11 April 2008
MP calls for rethink on failing drugs laws
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/
mp-calls-for-rethink-on-failing-drugs-laws-807796.html
Independent, 9 March 2008
The great class A drugs sale – how prices have tumbled under Labour
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/the-great-class-a-drugs-sale-ndash-how-prices-have-tumbled-under-labour-793501.html
Times, 5 March 2008
UN condemns Britain’s celebrity cocaine culture
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article3486141.ece
Guardian, 28 February 2008
Guardian Daily Podcast
Martin Barnes, chief executive of charity DrugScope, welcomes elements of the government's new drugs strategy, announced yesterday. But he says there should be more effort to help addicts in the workplace. Interview starts at 22.02 mins (lasts 3 mins 40 secs).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/audio/2008/feb/28/guardian.daily.podcast
Downing Street website, 28 February 2008
PM unveils comprehensive approach to drug issues
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14732.asp
Guardian, 28 February 2008
Intention to free society from drug-related crime
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/feb/28/drugsandalcohol.children
Independent, 28 February 2008
Teachers and families enlisted to war on drugs
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/
teachers-and-families-enlisted-to-war-on-drugs-788566.html
Telegraph, 28 February 2008
Anti-drug campaign to target children aged five
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/28/ndrugs128.xml
Times Online, 28 February 2008
Grandparents will be given help to look after children of addicts
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3448869.ece
Sunday Times, 24 February 2008
Prescription drugs: legal and lethal
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3403941.ece
Times, 13 February 2008
‘Taking drugs regularly is normal’
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/
student/student_life/article3358175.ece
Independent, 6 February 2008
The Big Question: What is the truth about skunk?http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/
the-big-question-what-is-the-truth-about-skunk-and-have-the-dangers-been-overstated-778590.html
Independent, 3 January 2008
The Big Question: How dangerous is ecstasy?
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article3303615.ece
BBC news online, 1 January 2008
Drugs 'legal in 10 years' claim
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7166748.stm
Children and Young People Now, 28 November 2007
Drugs education must take heed of social influences, urges study
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/Archive/769537/Drugs-education-heed-social-influences-urges-study/
Guardian, 21 November 2007
Treatment and the law stem rise in users
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/nov/21/
drugsandalcohol.homeaffairs1
Guardian, 26 October 2007
Cannabis loses allure but cocaine continues upward trend
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/oct/26/drugsandalcohol.crime
Times, 26 October 2007
Fewer young people using cannabis but more turning to cocaine http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2738569.ece
Telegraph, 26 October 2007
Cocaine use 'rising among under-24s'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/26/ncoke126.xml
Independent, 26 October 2007
Cannabis use is 'falling fast' among young adults http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article3098871.ece
Mirror, 26 October 2007
Cheap cocaine sparks young user boom
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/10/26/
cheap-cocaine-sparks-young-user-boom-89520-20011481/
Guardian, 18 October 2007
MPs and experts condemn drug treatment programme
http://society.guardian.co.uk/drugsandalcohol/story/0,,2193952,00.html
Independent, 15 October 2007
Martin Barnes, DrugScope: The key question is, how do we minimise harm from drugs?
http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article3061123.ece
BBC news online, 13 October 2007
Parents 'ignorant about cannabis', say leading police officers
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7042881.stm
Guardian, 17 September 2007
Skunk strength has doubled, studies suggest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,2170798,00.html
Observer, 16 September 2007
Prisons awash with heroin substitute.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,2170415,00.html
BBC news online, 13 September 2007
Cocaine users 'getting younger'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6992752.stm
Guardian, 13 September 2007
Rapid rise in cocaine use aided by two-tier prices, say charities
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,2167907,00.html
Guardian, 12 September 2007
Badge of honour: From undercover drug cop to anti-prohibitionist?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,2166824,00.html
Daily Telegraph, 20 August 2007
Channel 4's latest idea - drug binge TV
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/16/ndrugs116.xml
International Herald Tribune, 15 August 2007
With Iraq pullout in full swing, Britain turns its attention to Afghanistan
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/16/asia/AS-GEN-Afghanistan-Britains-War.php
Guardian Abroad, 10 August 2007
No prescription, no problem
http://www.guardianabroad.co.uk/health/article/337
Community Care, 7 August 2007
NTA reveals unacceptable youth service funding
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2007/08/07/105380/
nta-reveals-unacceptable-youth-drugs-services-finding.html
The Toronto Star, 1 August 2007
Britain fires up debate over tougher pot laws
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/241945
Daily Telegraph, 30 July 2007
Brown cuts £50m from drugs work
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/29/nbrown129.xml
BBC news online, 24 July 2007
Inquiry into drug misuse launched
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6913536.stm
Observer, 22 July 2007
Comment: Grand evasions lie in trifling honesties
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2132046,00.html
Press Gazette, 17 July 2007
Druglink magazine: drugs reporting is 'irresponsible'
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storyCode=38222§ioncode=1
Guardian, 10 July 2007
Crystal meth yet to take off in Britain, police say
NB. This story was sourced (with permission) from a Druglink magazine article.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/Story/0,,2122693,00.html
Daily Mail, 16 June 2007
'I vowed not to date men who use cocaine 18 months ago - I've been single ever since.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/
article.html?in_article_id=462075&in_page_id=1879
New Zealand Herald, 14 March 2007
UK police battle booming dope industry
NB. This story was sourced (with permission) from a Druglink magazine article.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10428672
Important note: to make it easier for you to access articles, we are publishing the full URL. Please note that external websites may change the location of articles. This page will be updated regularly but we cannot guarantee the integrity of the links. If you notice that a link is no longer valid, please do email the press office to let us know.
DrugScope is not responsible for the content of external websites.
For more information please contact Ruth Goldsmith in the DrugScope Press Office on 020 7940 7517 (07736 895563 out of hours) or at press@drugscope.org.uk
