What's wrong with drugs? - The Bristol Cable

What’s wrong with drugs?

Should drugs be legalised? How could harm from drugs be reduced in the city? Should recovery projects get more funding? How do public agencies approach drug use in Bristol?

Over autumn/winter 2017, after the government published its new Drug Strategy, the Cable is shining spotlights on the various ways drugs and drugs policy impact on the city and people who live here.

Stories will range from investigating the laws around and use of ‘new psychoactive substances’, to interviews with the politicians and campaigners arguing for more enlightened and evidence-based drugs policies, to the story of a former undercover police officer turned drugs reform activist.

If you have any story leads, get in touch with content@thebristolcable.org.

Features

Inside the UK’s first ever city centre drug testing facility- in the heart of Bristol

As charity The Loop reduced harms by testing drugs at Love Saves The Day this weekend, Bristol also became the first place in the UK to offer city centre testing.

Matty Edwards

Investigations

Revealed: ‘The most tradable prescription drug’ at HMP Bristol

Matty Edwards

Bristol and Beyond

Pregabalin: Bristol’s ‘emerging’ prescription drug problem

Matty Edwards

Reports

Drugs services: commissioning failure after funding cuts

Cuts make Bristol one of a growing number of local authorities who received no bids from service providers.

Alec Saelens

City

Drug use epidemic at HMP Bristol highlights prison system failings

Matty Edwards

Ideas and Action

Voice: Drug deaths – “It doesn’t need to be this way”

Cara Lavan

Features

Putting an end to the drug war and “the reign of terror”

Undercover cop-turned-drug reform activist Neil Woods talks about “the most important social justice issue of our time”.

Alec Saelens

City

“Keeping drugs illegal isn’t protecting people” – Bristol MP

The Bristol Cable spoke to Thangam Debbonaire about her critical views of the government’s Drug Strategy, the need for reform, and concrete solutions.

Alec Saelens

City