Publications
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A compilation of high quality titles allowing a person with a general interest in drug and alcohol use to find some interesting reading. We cannot guarantee that these are the best publications on each topic, but we certainly found them useful. Some are provided free.
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'Drugs: protecting families and communities' - 2008-2018 strategy
Home Office (Feb 2008). ISBN 978-1-84726-616-3
The drug strategy aims to reduce the harm that drugs cause to society, to communities, individuals and their families. The 2008-2018 drug strategy comprises four strands of work:
- protecting communities through tackling drug supply, drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour
- preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse
- delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration
- public information campaigns, communications and community engagement.
Hard copies of this publication can be requested from Prolog Home Office orderline and quote reference CDSD9. Tel.: 0870 241 4680 (Lines open Monday to Friday 0830 to 1800) Email: dpas@prolog.uk.com ISBN 978-1-84726-616-3 Produced by COI on behalf of HM Government. February 2008.
Drugs: protecting families and communities - 2008-2018 strategy 
Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Young People and Drugs
Department for Education and Skills (2005).
Guidance on young people and drugs has been published in Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Young People and Drugs.
To be effective in helping young people avoid drug problems the government are focusing on reforming delivery and strengthening accountability, ensuring provision is built around the needs of vulnerable children & young people and building service and workforce capacity.
"Young people's services must be fully committed to identify drug misuse in young people and intervening before the problem becomes acute."
Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Young People and Drugs
Hidden Harm
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
This publication is a summary of an inquiry carried out by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, focussing on children in the UK with a parent, parents or other guardian whose drug use has serious negative consequences for themselves and those around them.
First steps in identifying young people's substance related needs
Drugs Strategy Directorate, Published by Home Office
This guidance is aimed at professionals who work in statutory or voluntary health, social care, education and the criminal justice system, providing a service to children and young people.
First steps in identifying young peoples substance related needs (263.4 Kb)
Updated National Drug Strategy
In December 2002 the Government launched the Updated Drug Strategy 2002. This built upon, and adapted the Government's Drug Strategy Tackling drugs to build a better Britain, launched in 1998.
Updated Drug Strategy 2002 - Executive summary (67.33 Kb)
Updated Drug Strategy 2002 (full version) (4.84 Mb)
Living with Drugs
By Michael Gossop ISBN 1840149396
"A study of drugs - the different kinds of drugs, the reasons why people take drugs, the ways in which people have used drugs, and some of the difficulties to which drug-taking can lead. The various hazards of use discussed include the physical and psychological health of users, the social penalties incurred by use of abuse, and the risk of dependence. In addition, the effects of drugs may be directly linked to the drug effect or indirectly related to behavioural patterns of use or to social consequences of use. The book is also about the ordinariness of drug taking. Where drugs are presented as though they were something alien and unusually dangerous, it tries to put drug-taking in a more balanced perspective, showing that even those who drink tea or coffee are drug takers. There are updated definitions of the main terms used within the fields of drugs and alcohol."
Drug Use and Motherhood
By Hilary Klee and colleagues ISBN 0415271959
"The growing use of illicit drugs among women has become a major concern for health professionals and social services. The reluctance of drug-using women to seek help from drug agencies and to disclose their use of drugs to ante-natal, midwifery and social services is now officially recognised by government agencies. However, devising an appropriate strategy that will overcome these fears will not be easy without a better understanding of their causes and effects. Drug Misuse and Motherhood gives drug-using mothers a voice. Based on longitudinal research and in-depth interviews it provides new insights and much-needed information in five key areas: - family life - pregnancy - motherhood - service delivery and development - implications for policy. The user-perspective of this book is balanced by the professional viewpoint on the same issues. It offers a unique source of data for researchers and fresh inspiration for practitioners working in the field."
Working with Substance Users: A Practical Guide
By Trudi Petersen and Andrew Mcbride (Eds ISBN 0415235685
"This textbook has been specially written by experienced teachers and clinicians for all professionals working in the field of substance use for the first time. Using role plays, clinical scenarios and reader activities to aid understanding, Working with Substance Users covers: key theory/practice links; types of use and types of treatment; specific client groups; social policy and service issues; user and worker perspectives. Each chapter highlights the appropriate evidence base, encourages the student to reflect critically on what they have read and to consider the implications for practice."
Forbidden drugs: Understanding drugs and why people take them
By Philip Robson ISBN 0192629557
"Philip Robson has brought his excellent Forbidden Drugs up to date. In the public jousting to condemn a small group of drugs as evil, addictive and a threat to civilisation, Robson's cool look at the history, content and use of drugs is refreshing." - New Scientist.
Drugs: The Facts Explained, the Myths Exploded
By Andrew Tyler ISBN 0340609753
"As the name of the book suggests it is about illegally available drugs. However it is not sleazy, nor is it to 'academic'. Andrew Tyler essentially tells it like it is and goes across the board with regard to the drugs available on the 'black market' (sic). His standpoint throughout the whole book is one where he is removed from making any moral judgements whatsoever. He tells facts ranging from prices at the time of printing, although this has now changed, through to amounts to use in order to feel effects, the dangers, and their history. All in all it is a book which would as easily sit on the shelf of an informed drugs counsellor as it would on the shelf of the user. It is not a bible on how to use drugs, but rather a definitive guide on what is about and what it does. In an age where drug information is usually gleaned from stories of bravado, and mates, this book tells you as it is. If you buy one book on drugs - then buy this one."
Health Promotion. Foundations for Practice
By Jennie Naidoo and Jane Wills ISBN 0702024481
This book aims to provide a theoretical framework which is vital if health promoters are to be clear about their intentions and desired outcomes when they embark on interventions designed to promote health. It offers a foundation for practice which encourages students and practitioners to see the potential for health promotion in their work. It's clear, user-friendly approach has made it a standard textbook for health promotion.
Junk
By Melvin Burgess ISBN 0141315938
"I first read this book when I was fifteen, I'm now twenty and its still one of my favourites. I love the way the author gives each characters different viewpoints and the book is so true to life. All the characters are believable and its scary to realise just how easy it is to get addicted to drugs. I think it helps people, especially teenagers to realise the dangers." - A Reviewer on Amazon.co.uk
This book, although aimed at teenagers, provides a useful insight into the gradual decline that some heroin users may experience. Studied in some schools. Also visit Melvin Burgess's website at http://web.onetel.net.uk/~melvinburgess/
Burgess writes about Junk: "Junk won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's fiction award in 1997. There were howls of protest from the right wing press - mainly the Daily Mail and a handful of local papers. It was on radio and TV, there were articles and cartoons and much breast beating about the loss of innocence in young people today and where on earth is children's fiction going. And yet it has been my most popular title and still sells like hot cakes, both here and in the USA."