CWU Youth Podcast Episode 10: Drugs Policy Reform
Feb 5th, 2010 by cwuyouth
In Episode 10 of the CWU Youth Podcast, YAC Chair Ralph Ferrett (Plymouth and East Cornwall) talks to Martin Powell from the organisation Transform Drugs Policy Foundation.
Ralph and Martin talk about drugs policy in the UK and it effects. They also discuss possible alternatives and examine some of the reasons why Drugs Policy in the UK is exactly why it is and how this really helps no one.
A very interesting podcast. Very useful and directly related to my sociology dissertation which looks at the influence the media has on the use of drugs by the public, focusing in on young people. I would say that Newspapers in particular can sensationalise Drugs and even increase use. As which when individuals compare the disproportional reportage of harm caused by drugs, when compared to substances such as Alcohol and Tobacco, to their own experiences whether personal or through friends them find to be false, this then does nothing to discourage the use of drugs and can even mean more people hear about them and may be seen as adverting. What such reporting can do however is create unnecessary fear in those uneducated in the matter meaning a greater social divide. I’m not saying it is wrong to report drugs deaths but there needs to be some context in place.