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Drug Education in Schools

Posted by on Apr 3, 2012 in Main Blog | 0 comments

The Amy Winehouse Foundation and Angelus Foundation have joined up with an e-petition to encourage the government to make drug education a subject in schools. Their particular concerns are alcohol and the rise of the use of ‘legal highs’. Melvel Training welcomes this petition and a change to drug education in schools. There is a fear factor in this country that if we talk about drugs, people will instantly go out and misuse. I would rather my daughter have the correct information about substances, legal and illegal, to make better informed decisions. With all the pressures placed onto schools regarding targets and performance, many subjects that are not...

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Is It Time for the Decriminalisation of Drugs?

Posted by on Mar 15, 2012 in Main Blog | 0 comments

There is currently a global debate about drug laws. Those advocating a change, including Sir Richard Branson, believe that drug issues must be seen as a health problem and not a criminal one. As a drug awareness trainer I welcome a change to the law regarding substances, and believe that there needs to be greater knowledge and understanding about the risks and effects of drugs, (both legal and illegal) on individuals, their family, the community and society. There also needs to be a a focus on finding out the reasons why a person is misusing substances and addressing these reasons. Ultimately this will take time and yes it will cost money. Everyone is different and each...

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Ignorance isn’t the answer

Posted by on Feb 2, 2012 in Main Blog | 0 comments

Working around the subject area of drugs I hear a lot of negativity about raising drug awareness. There seems to be a fear that if we talk about drugs we encourage their use. I once sat at a conference with someone who works in drug treatment and he said he didn’t want his 14 year old to know about drugs. I challenged this and suggested that by using the correct approach we can help young people to have a greater understanding about drugs (legal and illegal) and encourage them to make better informed decisions. I would for example, rather my daughter knows that using someone else’s prescribed medicine could be dangerous to her.I would also prefer that...

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‘Tis the season to be Jolly – But not over the drink drive limit!

Posted by on Dec 1, 2011 in Main Blog | 0 comments

It’s the time of year, where perhaps more so than others, more alcohol is consumed, at home, parties, and at lunchtimes. It is also a time when more drivers are over the drinking limit. Drink driving devastates lives! Without putting a damper on ‘spirits’ here is some information which may help to prevent people from driving whilst over the limit. What is the drink-driving limit in the UK? (For other countries you can find this information on the internet by searching for drink drive limits) 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; or  107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres...

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Self Care Week 14th-20th November 2011

Posted by on Nov 16, 2011 in Main Blog | 0 comments

It is often the new year that prompts us to analyse different elements of our lives. This week however it is self-care week, and an opportunity for us to all reflect on how to look after ourselves better, as well as to know what services are available to support us. The NHS website provides useful information about this, including information about smoking and alcohol.  http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/Yourhealth/Pages/self-care-week-2011.aspx

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Stress Related Absence in the Workplace

Posted by on Oct 26, 2011 in Main Blog | 0 comments

It strikes me that when the health and well-being of employees is talked about, seldom are drugs (and remember I include alcohol in that) discussed. Now stress is being reported as being a key  factor to absence from the workplace, particularly during challenging economic times, I come back to the lack of mention about drugs. There are so many areas where there could be a link. Stress and anxiety can lead to people being prescribed medicines (drugs) to manage their illness. Whilst the majority of people complete their medication and are able to return to work, there are some who may develop a psychological dependency on their medication.Even some day to day over the...

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