Humans have been using psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs since ancient times, and barely a day goes by without a drug related issue reaching the headlines. This book provides an accessible and lucid introduction to some of the main health and social issues related to illicit drugs and their use.

Sets out clear recommendations, based on the best available evidence, for healthcare staff on how to work with people who misuse drugs (specifically opioids, stimulants and cannabis) to significantly improve their treatment and care.

The "British System" is known world-wide as a highly effective means of managing heroin addiction. Drs. Strang and Gossop have for many years been actively involved in research into clinical practice. In this book, they present an overview of British drug policy set in the context of international activities, with contributions from key figures in the field, covering both historical and contemporary aspects of the evolving "British System." Several contributors give previously unrecorded accounts of events during critical phases in the evolution of the UK response to illicit drug use, while others outline the critical issues within today's policy reviews.

Drawing on well-respected authors in the field, this textbook is at the cutting edge of current debates about illicit drug use. Comprehensive and straightforward, it examines the major theoretical questions, themes and policy debates. Contains study exercises to highlight important points to students.

A unique exploration of the changing ideas about the place of voluntarism and health care within society in Britain since the 1960s. By considering the work of voluntary organisations with illegal drug users, the authors provide a lens through which wider developments in the relationship between the state and civil society are examined.

Provides up-to-date information on the drugs problem in Britain based on the most recent research and experiences. The contributors, all experts in the drug addiction field, take a social perspective to examine drugs and drug taking.

This brief sheds light on evolving drug markets and the county lines phenomenon in the British context. Drawing upon empirical research gathered in the field between 2012-2019 across two sites, Scotland’s West Coast and Merseyside in England, this book adopts a grounded approach to the drug supply model, detailing how drugs are purchased, sold and distributed at every level of the supply chain at both sites. The authors conducted interviews with practitioners, offenders, ex-offenders and those members of the general public most effected by organised crime. The research explores how drug markets have continued to evolve, accumulating in the phenomenon that is county lines. It explores how such behavior has gradually become ever more intertwined with other forms of organised criminal activity. Useful for researchers, policy makers, and law enforcement officials, this brief recommends a rethinking of current reactive policing strategies.

Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco in Britain focuses on the use and misuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and the British response to these substances. The manuscript first tackles alcohol production, sale, and control and production of drugs. Discussions focus on licensing laws in England and Wales, taxation, home brewing and distilling, detailed incidence of liquor duties, illicit production of alcoholic beverages, overseas trade, and tied-house system. The book then elaborates on the control of drugs, including international control, Dangerous Drugs Act, 1965, United Kingdom laws, and control of specific psycho-active drugs. The publication examines the "normal" use of alcohol in Great Britain, medical use of drugs, and a historical perspective of alcohol abuse in Great Britain. Topics include medical use of cannabis, amphetamines, and opiates, student drinking, medical use of alcohol, expenditure on alcohol, and alcohol consumption. The text then takes a look at the misuse of alcohol in Great Britain, non-medical use of cannabis, non-medical use of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide and hallucinogenic drugs, and non-medical use of hypnotics and tranquillizers. The book is a valuable source of information for readers wanting to study the use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in Great Britain.

This book comprises of fourteen specially commissioned essays on the theme of drug abuse and the control of drug use in Britain. It analyses and appraises the two strands of that which has been termed the 'British system' of control, namely, prescription to, and rehabilitation of, registered users and enforcement action against illegal users. It also examines issues of contemporary relevance in the drug control debate, including the economics of drug control, drug education, the impact of AIDS, new trends in legislation and decriminalisation.