The impact of recreational drug use on society and the workplace
Raiys, in partnership with City, University of London and the Metropolitan Police, was delighted to co-host a half day conference at the RSA, London on Tuesday 26 March.
Titled ‘Behind the Lines’ the conference, focused on the impact of recreational drug use on society and the workplace. The event marked the culmination of months of ‘meetings of minds’ with representatives from academia, education, law enforcement, private and public sectors, to explore how much or how little thought was given to the issue.
Up until this point, discussions had covered a wide range of topics from the stark realities of the supply chain, to understanding the reasons for recreational use, the need to break down stereotypes, offer proactive and non-judgemental advice and support for employees and employers, through to why a law enforcement led programme/approach would probably fail.
The catalyst for the project was the From Harm to Hope: 10-year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives, review commissioned by the UK Government and headed by Dame Carol Black. Whilst the final report was very detailed and indicated a generational shift in drug taking, it only provided limited evidence on prevention of recreational use, particularly amongst adults.
The Behind the Lines conference aimed to take the informal discussions to the next level.
An incredible cast of panellists which included
• DI Dan Whitten, Metropolitan Police
• Dr James Rosbrook-Thompson, Senior lecturer in criminology, City University of London
• Nathaniel Peat, Entrepreneur, international speaker & business coach
• Professor Harry Sumnall, Professor in substance abuse at Liverpool John Moores University
• Dr Carrie-Anne Myers, reader in criminology, City, University of London
• Louis Levin, Senior Social Worker & Coach
• Sammy Odoi, Founder & MD of Wipers Youth CiC
• Dr David McLaughlan, Consultant Psychiatrist, The Priory Hospital
• Jane Robertson, Director of communications, Raiys
led the debate and spoke honestly and passionately about the societal, economic, health and political issues that needed to be overcome, or at least addressed, if an increase in the awareness of the harms of recreational drug use was to be achieved. And the part that the workplace has to play.
Data gathered at the Behind the Lines conference will be analysed and collated by a team at City, University of London, and a report and a set of recommendations for next steps will be produced.
A copy of the introductory/positioning presentation made by Detective Inspector Dan Whitten can be downloaded HERE
