Drug users aren’t the problem – the current ‘war on drugs’ is.
- Honorary Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of York
There are proven ways to reduce drug deaths. Unfortunately, the UK government is not implementing them.
Cannabis users seeking treatment in the UK is rising, especially among women and older smokers. But treatment services are sorely lacking.
The number of teetotallers in Britain is rising. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the population has a healthy relationship with alcohol.
Cannabis use among the baby boomer generation is on the rise, here’s why.
Scientists are beginning to understand why certain drugs and musical genres are natural partners.
Many more women probably use drugs than official figures suggest. And they certainly face more harms.
Budget cuts have consequences.
Maybe it’s time the government listened to the advice offered by its Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
Synthetic opiates are a growing problem.
Anabolic steroids and nitrous oxide are on the up and up.
The Home Office issued its last drug strategy seven years ago. A lot has changed in that time, except the Home Office’s ability to ignore the advice of experts.
European tokers are still smoking cannabis mixed with tobacco while Americans have shifted to vaping. It’s time for Europe to catch up.
Smoking cannabis can cause addition, impaired memory and even psychosis.
Drug use is down – but that’s a long way from the whole story.
The current scheduling of cannabis is not only out of step with the available evidence but is restricting its potential use as a medicine.
Opiates have emerged as a significant threat to public health in the UK.
But is the data misleading?
147m people used the drug last year. We need to know much more about it.
From medical use to getting high on balloons, nitrous oxide is in popular demand.
The UK may have signed the UN drugs convention – with its emphasis on prohibition – but that doesn’t mean it can’t legalise the drug.
There are scores of reasons why people get hooked on drugs. But governments play a key role, too.
Sending mentally ill adults and children long distances for care is unacceptable and must end.
Millions of people will probably sign up to take part in Dry January. But there are better ways to reduce your alcohol consumption.
Monthly bouts of abstinence have become regular features of public health and charity campaigns, but there may be even more important milestones for giving up.
Contact Ian for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Location: York, United Kingdom
- Website
- X (formerly Twitter): @ian_hamilton_
- Article Feed
-
- Joined
