KFx - Learning of Substance
Social Media: Website Colour:

Links

This section contains a number of links to other sources of advice and information. I have categorised these in very loose ways, and inclusion here does not represent an endorsement of any content.

If you want your link removed please e-mail and I will do so. If you would like to add KFx as a link from your site please do so; if you let me know I will insert a reciprocal link.

To suggest a link or to report a broken link, please contact KFx.

Service locators

NHS Drug Service Locator

Find Drug treatment services services. Allows for search via postcode/town.

Counselling Directory
Counselling Directory only lists qualified/registered counsellors and psychotherapists. Every member must send us copies of their qualifications and insurance cover or must be registered with a recognised professional body.

Solicitors On-Line
Comprehensive and up-to-date directory of solicitors in the UK. Fully searchable.

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News

DS Daily

DS Daily is Drugscope run bulletin service providing a round-up of drug news stories from the UK and around the world; a welcome replacement for the now defunct Daily Dose.

Drink and Drug News
The website for Drink and Drug News magazine where wll the back issues can be viewed. Also here, the Drink and Drug News site which includes, forum, home pages and othe goodies.

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Drug-Related sites: Statutory

Home Office - Drugs
Section of the Home Office website concerned with drugs.

Scotland: Drugs
Part of the Scottish Public health Observatory (formerly Drug Misuse Information Scotland)

Health Scotland
Our website provides information and resources to support health improvement practitioners and organisations working with us to improve Scotland's health and reduce inequalities.

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Drug Initiatives: National: NGOs

Talk to Frank
Formerly the The National Drugs Helpline, FRANK is the new Government funded drugs awareness website. It provides information for drug users, their friends and families. It has various information resources online and with a web based question facility. Despite repeated representations, some of the content online is not accurate.

Mentor UK
Mentor is the UK's leading charity working to prevent alcohol and drug misuse among children and young people.

Re-Solv
Re-Solv is a national United Kingdom charity dedicated to the prevention of solvent and volatile substance abuse.

Scottish Drugs Forum
The Scottish Drugs Forum is national non-government drugs policy and information agency, aiming to support and represent, at both local and national levels, a wide range of interests, promoting collaborative, evidence-based responses to drug use.

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction was set up to provide the Community and its Member States with 'objective, reliable and comparable information at European level concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences'.

Release
Long established drugs charity running a helpline, and offering quality advice on legal issues.

Drugwise
The salvaged remains of Drugscope, run by sector stalwart Harry Shapiro.

Independent drug monitoring unit
Drug prices, law, policy and lots of other essential stuff. (Link goes to old site; new one not currently working).

Transform
Transform campaign against the prohibition of drugs, arguing for regulation and control.

Anyone's Child
A transform project working with families to lobby for drugs law reform

UK Drug Policy Commission
UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) is an independent body providing objective analysis of UK drug policy. We aim to improve political, media and public understanding of drug policy issues and the options for achieving a rational and effective (evidence-led) response to the problems caused by illegal drugs.

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Harm Reduction and Needle Exchange Specific

WEDINOS
Welsh emerging drugs and identification of novel psychoactive Project: you send them samples, they test and post results. very useful resource

The Loop
The Loop is a not for profit Community Interest Company established in 2013 which provides drug safety testing, welfare and harm reduction services at nightclubs, festivals and other leisure events. 

Exchange Supplies
This Harm reduction site was established by the admirable Jon Derticott and Andrew Preston. There's a wealth of material on this site. You can order paraphernalia, including a full range of needle and syringes plus other equipment. There's literature to read or download. The site is also a portal for drug conference archives, such as the NCIDU.

UK Harm Reduction Alliance
Discussion group on Needle Exchange and other aspects of harm reduction. largely a moribund forum now, sadly.

National Needle Exchange Forum
The National Needle Exchange Forum (NNEF) is a group of needle exchange workers from England and Wales that exists to actively promote and support the provision of high quality, comprehensive needle exchange services as a key part of the United Kingdom drugs strategy.

International Harm Reduction Association
The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is one of the leading international non-governmental organisations promoting policies and practices that reduce the harms from all psychoactive substances, harms which include not only the increased vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs, but also the negative social, health, economic and criminal impacts of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco on individuals, communities and society.

Injecting Advice
Nigel Brunsdon's harm reduction site. Lots of good content. He says "This site is about harm reduction for injecting drug users, and seeks to act as a great information resource for both injectors and drugs workers."

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User and Activists Groups, Self Help, Recovery

Black Poppy Magazine
The Health and Lifestyle magazine for the class A drug user. Contains articles for and by users. Essential material on Harm Reduction, Prison life, Tips for Working Girls, Vein Care, Hep C, HIV, and other diseases that impact users.

Narcotics Anonymous UK
"A non-profit, international, community based organization or recovering addicts that's active in over 60 countries. NA members learn from one another how to live drug free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives"

Smart Recovery
Our purpose is to help individuals seeking abstinence from addictive behaviours to gain independence, achieve recovery and lead meaningful and satisfying lives. The approach is secular and science based; using motivational, behavioral and cognitive methods. We view substance/activity dependence as a dysfunctional habit, while recognising that it is possible that certain people have a predisposition towards addictive behaviour.

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Drugs resources sites and Drug Education Websites (mainstream+UK)

Know The Score
Scotland's definitive drugs information gateway - providing information for young people, parents, relatives, friends and communities.

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Drugs - International

Anna Liffey Drug Project
Interesting website from this Dublin-based Charity. Some good resources here - and a wealth of policies.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
US drugs enforcement; lots of interesting information on this site.

Erowid
Erowid.org is an online library of information about psychoactive plants and chemicals and related topics. The information on the site is a compilation of the experiences, words, and efforts of hundreds of individuals including users, parents, health professionals, doctors, therapists, chemists, researchers, teachers, and lawyers. Erowid acts as a publisher of new information as well as a library for the collection of documents published elsewhere. The information found on the site spans the spectrum from solid peer reviewed research to fanciful creative writing.

International Drugs Policy Consortium
We are a global network of NGOs and professional networks that come together to promote objective and open debate on drug policy issues at the national and international level

Merchants Quay Project
Merchants Quay Ireland is a voluntary organisation providing a wide range of services to people who are homeless and for drug users. In 2009, we worked with over 5,000 drug users and people who were homeless.

Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe
The Open Society Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD) developed Methadone Man and Buprenorphine Babe to help raise awareness about the glaring lack of access to these lifesaving drugs.

The Chicago Recovery Alliance
Harm reduction site with some great injecting resources.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The USA's leading website on drugs and science. NIDA's mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.

Trimbos Institute
The Trimbos Institute is a [Dutch] centre of expertise on mental health and addiction. The Trimbos Institute cannot provide treatment or medical advice.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime
UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention

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Service Providers

Addaction
Addaction is a major national drug and alcohol treatment charity in the United Kingdom. We aim to ensure that all drug and alcohol users can access appropriate treatment, regardless of what stage their substance use has reached.

Bristol Drugs Project
We provide free and confidential help to over 3,000 individuals and their families each year. With over 24 years experience we know what works and can help you find it.

Compass
The Compass mission is to help people to solve the problems of drug and alcohol use, creating healthier lives and safer communities.We are not a campaigning charity but seek to achieve our mission by delivering treatment services in communities where the effects of problematic substance misuse are acutely felt.

Cranstoun Project
Cranstoun Drug Services is a not-for-profit, independent, non-governmental organisation whose well-trained and experienced staff provide a range of high quality, efficient and effective specialist services. We continually develop new, creative and pragmatic responses in order to tackle the impact and harm caused by drugs to individuals and communities.

Crew 2000
As well as offering a drop in and training Crew 2000 have a fair bit of drugs information on their website. Well worth a look.

CGL
CGL (Change Grow Live) is a charity that intervenes to change patterns of behaviour that damage communities, working locally to help individuals turn around harmful patterns of behaviour, whether substance misuse, crime, or homelessness.

Equinox
We are a specialist care organisation providing responsive residential and community basedl services. all our services users have alcohol, drug or mental health problems, many have criminal records, are in housing need and/or are fleeing domestic violence, all are vulnerable and many are overlooked by society.

Exeter Drug Project
EDP works with people across Devon and in Dorset who have, or are affected by, drug and alcohol problems. We work both in the community and in prisons.

Forward Trust (formert RAPt)
Forward empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of addiction or crime to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive futures. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change.

Harbour Drug and Alcohol Service
Harbour is here to help anyone who is affected by the misuse of drugs or alcohol. This includes family and friends. We work in partnership with other public, private and voluntary agencies to see that every available option is explored to successfully address your needs.

Inclusion
Inclusion is a national organisation that works with individuals, families and communities who are affected by drugs, alcohol, crime and mental health.  Whilst providing comprehensive and inclusive support we invest in all people using our services to inspire them to fulfil their potential and forge a more successful future.

Inclusion was established in 2002 as part of the Specialist Services Group of Midland Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT). As part of the Specialist Services Division, Inclusion develop new and flexible services across England where tendering opportunities arise.

NECA

NECA is a registered Charity whose key focus is to improve the lives of individuals and communities throughout the region. For over 40 years NECA have supported and enabled thousands of individuals to sustain long term Recovery from substances and Gambling misuse

Phoenix Futures

Every person who is dependent on drugs and alcohol has the potential to rebuild their life. This is our vision.

Turning Point
Turning Point exists to enable people with serious problems related to alcohol, drugs, mental health and learning difficulties to live a more independent life as part of their communities.

WDP
WDP is a vibrant and innovative drug and alcohol charity committed to helping those who are affected by substance misuse. For over 25 years we have provided support to individuals, their families and the wider communities from centres across London, the South East and East of England.

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Substance Misuse Umbrella Groups and Others

FDAP
The Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) is the professional body for practitioners working with people with substance use problems.

NAADAC UK
National Association of Alchohol and Drug Abuse Counsellors (UK)

Substance Misuse Management in General Practice (SMMGP)
Substance Misuse Management in General Practice (SMMGP) is a network to support GPs & other members of the primary health care team who work with substance misuse in the UK. The project team produces the SMMGP newsletter (Network) & organises the annual conference 'Managing Drug Users in General Practice'.

Womens Aid UK
Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. We support a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK.

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Individuals of Merit!

Stanton Peele
Stanton Peele is a psychologist who has changed the addiction field. He has pioneered, among other things, the idea that addiction occurs with a range of experiences, recognition of natural recovery from addiction, and the “harm reduction” approach to addiction.

William White
This site contains the full text of more than 200 articles, 6 monographs, 30+ recovery tools, 9 book chapters, 3 books, and links to an additional 13 books written by William White and co-authors over the past four decades. The purpose of this site is to create a single location where such material may be located by those interested in the history of addiction treatment and recovery in the United States. Those papers selected for inclusion contain all of the articles and monographs authored by William White on the new recovery advocacy movement, recovery management and recovery-oriented systems of care. It is hoped that this resource library will serve present and future generations of addiction professionals, recovery oaches and recovery advocates.

Gabor Maté
Posits that all addictions orginate in trauma and emotional loss. Useful resource site even if you are not a Maté devotee

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Alcohol

Alcoholics Anonymous
Fellowship of self-help groups promoting abstinence through the 12-step programme.

Alcohol Change
National Agency on alcohol misuse

Alcohol Education Scotland
The Alcohol Information Scotland website provides a wide range of information on alcohol for Scotland. This includes statistics, research, publications, key policy documents and practice guidelines as well as links to useful websites. Up to date news is reported through daily media monitoring. The site is for anyone with an interest in alcohol issues such as care professionals, researchers, policy makers as well as the wider community.

Alcohol and Families
Alcohol Concern’s alcohol and families website is dedicated to supporting professionals working with children and their parents in the health, education and social sector in understanding and working with the issues involved in parental alcohol misuse.

British Liver Trust
The charity seeks to advocate on behalf of these groups of people, increase awareness and understanding, as well as fund medical research into the causes and treatment of liver disease. Much information on drinking and the liver.

Institute of Alcohol Studies
The Institute provides up-to-date information about alcohol and alcohol-related harm, for a broad audience of journalists, policymakers, students and anyone else with an interest in these issues.

Medical Council on Alcohol (MCA)
Provides an education and advisory role within medical professions.

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Amphetamines, Cocaine and other Stimulants

Wikipedia - Amphetamine
Wiki entry on Amphetamine.

Erowid Amphetamines
Erowid entry on Amphetamines.

Anex - Stimulants
Australian website on stimulants which has a good list of additonal resources and further links.

Wikipedia - Cocaine
Wiki entry on cocaine.

Erowid Cocaine
Erowid entry on cocaine.

Cocaine Anonymous
UK fellowship for those seeking a 12 step approach to cocaine dependency.

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Anabolic Steroids

IPED Info
This website (formally SIEDsInfo.co.uk) and supporting resources, developed by Public Health Wales, in conjunction with partners at the Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, aims to provide reliable and evidence based information and advice to reduce the harms associated with the use of IPEDs.

Human Enhancement Drugs
The Human Enhancement Drugs Network (HEDN) is a means to strengthen working relationships between academic sectors, governmental agencies, NGOs, users groups and others interested in human enhancement drugs.

MuscleTalk Forum
One of the better discussion groups which looks at Performance enhancing drugs. Looks at natural training and the use of drugs. Well moderated and good source of up-to-date information.

Mick Hart.com
UK Based 'expert' on Anabolic Steroids and other PEDs. Probably loved and hated in equal measure his site is passionate, partisan, informed, crude, biased, and honest in equal measure.

100% Me
Run by UK sport, looks to challenge use of Anabolics, and looks at achieving good results naturally. also looks at banned substances in the UK.

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Benzodiazepines

Wikipedia - Benzos
Wiki entry.

Benzo.org
Self help website for people worried about dependency. Well regarded, lots of additional information and includes many links and references..

Battle Against Tranquillisers
To lessen the harm caused by benzodiazepine tranquillisers and sleeping pills, and drugs with similar effects.

Mind in Camden Minor Tranquilliser Service
service for adults who are experiencing, difficulties due to taking Benzodiazepines, sleeping pills drugs with similar actions. Service is provided to adults living or working in the London Borough of Camden. People using minor tranquillisers illegally or in combination with other drugs are also eligible for the service.

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Betel Nut

erowid on BETEL
Erowid information on Betel Nut.

Wikipedia on Betel
Wiki entry - not comprehensive.

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Cannabis

Erowid on Cannabis
Erowid's extensive archive on cannabis.

Wikipedia entry on Cannabis
Wikipedia entry for cannabis.

Know Cannabis Site
Website produced by HIT. They say "This website can help you assess your cannabis use, its impact on your life and how to make changes if you want to."

UK Cannabis Internet Activists (UKCIA)
Comprehensive and well-managed website"chronicling the progress of the Legalise Cannabis Campaign." Includes research, forums, analysis and campaign material. Has been at the forefront of raising awareness of contaminated resin and herbal cannabis.

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Ecstasy, Clubs and Drugs

Erowid on Ecstasy
Erowid's extensive archive on cannabis.

Wikipedia on Ecstasy
Wikipedias entry on MDMA.

Pill Reports
Pillreports is a global database of Ecstasy" pills based on both subjective user reports and scientific analysis.

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Heroin and other Opiates

Erowid
Erowid's extensive vault of Heroin resources.

Wikipedia
Wikipedia article on Heroin.

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Volatile Substances

Re-solv
The website of Re-Solv, the national charity solely dedicated to the prevention of solvent and volatile substance abuse(VSA) up-to-date.

Solve-It
To provide a dedicated service to young people, adults, professionals and organisations that promote understanding, awareness and education of the consequences of volatile substance abuse.

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Housing, Homeless and Other

For more housing links and service providers please visit www.drugsandhousing.co.uk

Centrepoint
Centrepoint aims to ensure that no young person is at risk because they do not have a place to stay.

CRASH
CRASH brings professionals and companies from the UK construction and property industry to help homelessness charities to improve their premises.

The Chartered Institute of Housing
The CIH is a professional association dedicated to helping to raise the standards of housing management.

Crisis
Crisis is a national charity dedicated to the relief of poverty and distress among single homeless people. Their mission is to end street homelessness through practical action to help homeless people move towards a secure, sustainable home.

Homeless Link
We are the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England. We work to make services better and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness.

National Housing Federation
The National Housing Federation is the body that represents the independent social housing sector.

Shelter

Campaigning, advice and legal services addressing bad housing and homelessness.

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Mental Health

The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity which aims to improve the lives of everyone with mental health problems or learning difficulties. It undertakes research, service development and information to increase understanding and meet people's needs. It also contains a very comprehensive links page for mental health organisations.

Mind
Mind works for a better life for everyone experiencing mental distress, campaigns for the right to lead an active and valued life in the community and is an influential voice on mental health issues.

Sane
Sane is one of the UK's leading charities concerned with improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.

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Blood-borne Viruses

The National AIDS Trust
The National AIDS Trust (NAT) aims to promote a wider understanding of HIV and AIDS; develop and support efforts to prevent the spread of HIV; and improve the quality of life of people affected by HIV and AIDS.

National Hepatitis C Resource Centre
The Hepatitis C Trust is the national UK charity for hepatitis C with offices in London and Falkirk. It has been operating since 2001. It is a patient-led and patient-run organisation: most of our board, staff, and volunteers have had hepatitis C and have cleared it after treatment.

The Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust delivers health promotion campaigns and direct support to people who are at risk or living with HIV across the UK , especially people from the African community and gay men and the people close to them.

The British Liver Trust
UK charity for adults with liver disease. Promotes research, support and publishes an online newsletter.

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Young People

The Mix

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via online, social or our free, confidential helpline.

The Children's Society
The Children's Society aims to tackle the route causes of problems which young people face when the communities they live in and people who surround them let them down.

Childrens Legal Centre
The Children's Legal Centre is an independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people.

Become
Become - formerly The Who Cares Trust promote the interests of children and young people in public care and we work with all those interested in their well-being in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and around the world.

Bullying Online
A comprehensive website which helps parents and pupils deal with school bullying. It is also used as a resource by teachers and health professionals. There are around 30 different sections including issues like how to deal with racist problems and mobile phone text abuse as well as practical advice for parents and pupils.

National Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency aims to advance youth work to promote young people's personal and social development, and their voice, influence and place in society.

Childline UK
ChildLine is a free national helpline for children and young people in trouble or danger.

Barnardos
Through almost 300 projects nationwide, Barnardo's help children, young people and their families to overcome severe disadvantages, including abuse, homelessness and poverty, and to tackle the challenges of disability.

Action for Children
NCH Action For Children aims to improve the lives of Britain's most vulnerable children and young people by providing a diverse and innovative range of services for them and their families and campaigning on their behalf.

National Childrens Bureau
The National Children's Bureau (NCB) is a registered charity which promotes the interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. The Drug Education Forum is also hosted here.

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Commercial Service Providers

Orion Medical Products
Orion manuvacture and supply a range of products and services dedicated to the needle exchange market.

Daniels Healthcare
Manufactures and distributors of Healthcare products, including needle exchange.

SureScreen
Surescreen provide a wide range of drug testing products and services. They provide a highly professional service and are aware of the complex tensions that surround the issue of drug testing.

Frontier medical products
Frontier provide lots of services, but the one to highlight here is there provision for needle exchanges especially their very fine sharps bins. These are being constantly refined and designed and they are very very good. They consult with both professionals and users and this is reflected in their products.

Alere
Large testing and analysis company.

Test Country

US based testing complany but with a very large and very good set of drug facts including some nice graphics. It's a huge website and lots of good information on here.

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Legal

Rudi Fortson
Rudi Fortson is noted for his work in relation to serious crime, including fraud, confiscation, asset-recovery, money-laundering, drug trafficking and drug law. He probably knows more about drugs legislation than anyone needs to know.

CPS - Drugs Offences
CPS guidance on charges for drugs offences

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Academic and Research

CSUR
Research agency headed up by Neil Mckeganey, who also is a frequentt contributor it seems to Conservative Woman website. Nuff said.

Centre for Policy Study
A Tory think-tank set up by Keith Joseph in the 1970's. In 2008 set up the Prison's and Addiction Forum where the likes of Kathy Gyngell and Deirdre Boyd from Addiction Today can rage against harm reduction and methadone.

Centre for Social Justice
The Centre for Social Justice is an independent think tank established by Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP in 2004 to seek effective solutions to the poverty that blight parts of Britain. They're not here cos I love them; but it's essential to understand the ideology that underpins the current Government's activities.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an endowed charity that funds a large, UK-wide research and development programme. We seek to understand the root causes of social problems, to identify ways of overcoming them, and to show how social needs can be met in practice.

Drug and Alcohol Findings
Drug and Alcohol Findings bridges the divide between UK-relevant research on the effectiveness of responses to drug and alcohol problems and the practitioners who provide those interventions. The project aims to encapsulate the studies' findings, set them in context and to explore the implications for practice.

Museum of Drugs
This is place is fabulous! It 'houses' a collection of artifacts that reveal the history of substance use and societal reaction prior to 1971 when the Misuse of Drugs Act came into force in the United Kingdom. The Museum explores society's relationship with substance use, charting a story of polarisation, from acceptance and tolerance through to fear, moral panic and prohibition.

International Journal of Drugs Policy

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Drugs Discussion Forums

Tallking Drugs
TalkingDrugs is an online space reflecting the global challenge posed by illicit drugs. It provides an opportunity to share stories and insights that will help us find better ways to control illicit drugs and prevent them causing excessive harm. Managed by Release.

Drugs Forum
The best drugs discussion forum; well moderated and good discussions.

Bluelight
Good discussion forum.

Urban 75
UK ezine featuring bulletin boards, games, photos, protest, rave, drugs & more. This site is strictly non-profit - no banners, no tie-ins, no ads.

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Culture

Yes Magazine
YES! reframes the biggest problems of our time in terms of their solutions. Online and in print, we outline a path forward with in-depth analysis, tools for citizen engagement, and stories about real people working for a better world.

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