The Centre for Policy Studies today announces the establishment of a specialist Prison and Addiction Unit (PandA).Remit
PandA’s aim is to challenge the Government’s fundamentally flawed drug policy.
It will scrutinise this rapidly expanding but largely unmonitored area of government intervention. PandA will advocate restricting the supply of drugs; and the provision of effective treatment to help those suffering from addiction to make a full recovery. Neither of these aims are being achieved by current government policy (despite claims to the contrary).In the words of PandA member Professor Neil Mckeganey (Professor of Drug Misuse Research. University of Glasgow):
"I believe nothing short of a revolution in drug abuse treatment in the UK is required. This must recognize the unparalleled harms of illegal drug use and addiction and must focus first and foremost on getting addicts off drugs."
PandA will study all aspects of drugs and alcohol supply, treatment policy, prevention and education in the UK. Key themes it will consider include:
- the centralisation of the management of treatment and why it is wrong
- the new prisons ‘integrated drugs treatment strategy’ and its dangers
- the effective, as opposed to ineffective, treatment of addiction
- the liberalisation of the control of supply of drugs and alcohol and its damaging consequences
- the national ‘harm reduction’ drugs education programme and its implications and consequences
- what a prevention policy could look like
Membership of PandA
Kathy Gyngell (Chair)
Mary Brett (Drugs Education Consultant, UK Representative EURAD)
Chris Cook (Professorial Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, formerly Professor of the Psychiatry Of Alcohol Misuse , University of Kent)
Huseyin Djemil (former London Area Drugs Strategy Coordinator, HM Prison Service, Consultant – Drug Strategy, Operations and Research)
Andy Horwood (former Drugs Action Team Coordinator for Bedfordshire and Luton)
James Langton (Founder of The Clearhead Recovery Programme)
Neil McKeganey (Professor of Drug Misuse Research. University of Glasgow)
Michelle Tempest (Psychiatrist, Addenbrokes Hospital, Cambridge)
David Partington (General Secretary, International Substance Abuse and Addiction Centre ISAAC)
Dr K A H Mirza (Consultant to the group)
All members serve in a personal capacity. The views expressed in its publications and announcements are the sole responsibility of the authors. Contributions are chosen for their value in informing public debate and should not be taken as representing a corporate view of the CPS or of PandA.
Comment
Members of PandA are available for comment on all aspects of government prison and addiction policy. Enquiries should be sent to Kathy Gyngell at Kathy@gyngell.me.uk. Kathy can be contacted directly on 020 7351 6612