#09 - Professor Dame Carol Black: An Independent Review of Drugs, Stigma, Treatment & Recovery

In Episode 9 Matt talks to Professor Dame Carol Black.

In 2019 Dame Carol was commissioned by the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care to undertake a 2-part independent review of drugs, to inform the government’s thinking on what more can be done to tackle the harm that drugs cause.

Part one was published on 27 February 2020 and provides a detailed analysis of the challenges posed by drug supply and demand, including the ways in which drugs fuel serious violence. Part two was published on the 8 July 2021 and focuses on drug treatment, recovery and prevention.

The report’s aim is to make sure that vulnerable people with substance misuse problems get the support they need to recover and turn their lives around, in the community and in prison. It contains 32 recommendations for change across various government departments and other organisations, to improve the effectiveness of drug prevention and treatment and to help more people recover from dependence.

In 2018 Black was appointed Chair of the British Library and she was made a CBE in 2002 in recognition of her research work on Scleroderma. She was also appointed DBE in 2005 while President of the Royal College of Physicians and she was awarded an honorary doctorate of science by the University of Bristol in 2003 and an honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators in 2010.

You can read Professor Dame Carol's review here:
 
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-review-of-drugs-by-professor-dame-carol-black
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ReNew is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults, families, carers and affected others in Hull.

ReNew offers:

• Expert advice and information on drugs, alcohol, homelessness, prison and how to improve your health and wellbeing. 
• A multi-disciplinary approach to care; our team includes experienced health and care staff, nurses and doctors.
• A whole family approach – working holistically with all members of the family to achieve and promote recovery.
• Therapeutic group and 1:1 interventions. 
• A community and inpatient detoxification provision. 
• Access to residential rehabilitation environments.
• A comprehensive harm reduction offer - reducing drug related deaths and harm via blood borne virus screening and issuing emergency lifesaving overdose reversal medication (Naloxone).
• Education, training and employment services – with direct links to all local education providers and an in-house community training provision.
• Multiple connecting communities offers, including – an outreach provision, a rough sleepers’ provision, criminal justice provision and a provision exclusively for women.
• Multiple peer led support provisions, including; Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and a daily breakfast club which is free and open to everyone.

ReNew are happy to talk to you face-to-face, online, over the telephone, or whatever way suits you. 

If you're worried about something, please contact ReNew via telephone for support between 09:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday, on 01482 620 013. 

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The Believe in People Podcast explores addiction, recovery and stigma.

If you or someone you know is struggling then this series can help.

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