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Alex Stevens

@AlexStevensKent

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Professor in Criminal Justice @UniKent . Board member @HRInews and @cjalliance . My views, not theirs. New book: Drug Policy Constellations @BrisUniPress .

Kent and Medway
https://t.co/xau3ksVhcn
Joined April 2009
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
Drug Policy Constellations: The Role of Power and Morality in the Making of Drug Policy in the UK. My new book will be published by @BrisUniPress in January 2024. Here’s an introductory thread. 1/11
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Drug Policy Constellations

Drug Policy Constellations - The Role of Power and Morality in the Making of Drug Policy in the UK; Drawing on the author’s participation in high-level policy discussions, this book presents three...

bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
The #SewellReport really is a verbose, sloppy and intellectually dishonest piece of work. In the bits I know about (drugs and crime), there is a pattern of misleading readers by mischaracterising the sources it cites. Here are some examples. 1/n
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
The reason we are locking down too late to save thousands of lives is the same reason we are facing a disastrous Brexit. The internal politics of the Conservative Party.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Memo to universities: cutting administrative staff and giving their tasks to more highly paid academics is not a cost saving.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
I have resigned from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Recent political vetting and exclusion of suitably qualified applicants to join means that the ACMD is losing its independence. A thread to explain follows…
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Is there a full list of universities who are deducting 100% of pay for marking boycotts, so I can advise my daughters where not to apply to? @ucu
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
To back a claim that cannabis is a 'gateway' drug, it cites a 2002 ACMD report. Here's what a later (2008) ACMD report says on the issue
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Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Here are her own words. Judge for yourself if the quote was deliberately cut to change its meaning.
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Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
To support the idea that stop and search works, they rely on a study in the BJC . While this study found a small association with lower recorded drug crime, it conclude, 'claims that this is an effective way to control and deter offending seem misplaced'.
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Does Stop and Search Deter Crime? Evidence From Ten Years of London-wide Data

Abstract. In this article, we used ten years of police, crime and other data from London to investigate the potential effect of stop and search on crime. U

academic.oup.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Ministers have not provided any assurance that this will not happen again. If ministers take decisions on who can join the ACMD on the basis of whether or not they agree with government policies, then it is no longer an independent body. Which is why I have resigned.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
In discussing the link between race, crime and violent victimisation, the Commission write that age and deprivation explains much of the difference between ethnic groups. The cited report actually shows the disparity is not washed away by deprivation.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Perhaps most egregiously, they misrepresent the words of Dame Angiolini in her report on deaths in custody (a report which repeatedly mentions the institutional racism of which Sewell's Commission denies the existence). Here is their quote of her words...
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Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
'drug use and possession for personal use should be decriminalised as a matter of urgency'
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UN experts call for end to global ‘war on drugs’

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 23 June 2023 GENEVA (23 June 2023) – The international community must replace punishment with support and promote policies that respect,...

www.ohchr.org
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
My resignation from the ACMD should not be taken in any way as a comment on other ACMD members or on the civil servants who work with the ACMD, who have always been highly professional.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
But there are lots of other relevant research which they did not include in their blizzard of references, presumably because it did not fit their argument. E.g. this report on the lack of effectiveness of increased stop and search
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Do initiatives involving substantial increases in stop and search reduce crime? Assessing the...

This study assesses the impact on crime of the Metropolitan Police’s Operation BLUNT 2, which ran from May 2008 to April 2011.

www.gov.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
A personal thread on #Covid19UK and the #cancercrisis : I am 52. I am waiting for my third brain tumour operation since 2014. Here’s me in the wig my daughters kindly lent me after shaving my head for the second op’. 1/6
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
The @UniKent senate has voted to devalue its own degrees by dispensing with external examiiners and missing marks. Just how far are universities prepared to go to impose redundancies on their staff?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
This comment in a trenchant critique of the #SewellReport from a @bmj_latest blog also applies to its sections on crime.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
@RossThomson_MP You are talking ill-informed nonsense. See this report for actual evidence on how to reduce deaths:
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Reducing opioid-related deaths in the UK

This report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs investigates the increase of drug-related deaths in the UK.

www.gov.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
In its combination of loads of 'scientific' references, odd jumps to moralising, and misrepresentation of its sources, the #SewellReport reminds me of an old @CPSThinkTank report. Does anyone know if any CPS or CJS start helped Sewell write it?
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The Phoney War on Drugs - The Centre for Policy Studies

The UK now has one of the most liberal drug policies in Europe. Both Sweden and the Netherlands (despite popular misconceptions) have a more rigorous approach – and far fewer problems with drugs.

cps.org.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
@vernalscott You really think treating children this way is appropriate and proportionate?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
11 months
This is misleading. No substantial figures in the Portuguese system is saying decriminalisation was a mistake. They are calling for renewal of the funding for treatment that accompanied decrim' back in 2001.
@kitmalthouse
Kit Malthouse
@kitmalthouse
11 months
The Portuguese are now concerned they got it wrong…
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Vetting included collecting information on applicants' statements on Brexit and Windrush, as well as drug policy.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
One of the people who was excluded from ACMD membership was @niamhrelease , a highly respected lawyer whose expertise on British drug law is internationally recognised (the ACMD currently has no qualified lawyer as a member).
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
As reported by @matthabusy in June, @niamhrelease ’s appointment was blocked on the basis of tweeted disagreements with government ministers.
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Drugs expert barred from policy panel after criticising Home Office

Minister vetoed appointment of woman who called Home Office drug policy ‘utter BS’

www.theguardian.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Hi @sheffielduni @UniversityLeeds @QMUL @cardiffuni @UCU_Ulster @UAL @uniofbrighton @SOAS @KingstonUni and other Uni's considering docking 100% of pay for marking boycott: I have two 17-year old daughters. I will advise them against applying to such careless universities.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 months
Finally, my book is (ontologically) real #drugpolicyconstellations
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
Drug Policy Constellations: The Role of Power and Morality in the Making of Drug Policy in the UK. My new book will be published by @BrisUniPress in January 2024. Here’s an introductory thread. 1/11
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
After the unjustified dismissal of @ProfDavidNutt in 2009, several ACMD members resigned. A working protocol was put in place to protect the independence of the ACMD from ministerial interference.
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Working Protocol between the Home Secretary and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

The new working protocol jointly developed and agreed between the Home Secretary and the ACMD.

www.gov.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Is this some kind of competition to see how many drug policy errors you can fit into one tweet?
@ShaunBaileyUK
Shaun Bailey
@ShaunBaileyUK
4 years
To deliver safe streets, we need to tackle middle-class drug use. Drugs are a direct cause of crime — from trafficked kids to violent gangs. So as Mayor, I’ll ask big firms to sign up to a Drug Testing Charter. See my interview in @thesundaytimes 👇🏿
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
This spring, it came to light that people who were considered suitable for membership of the ACMD by an appointments panel had not been appointed by ministers after vetting of their social media had revealed disagreements with government policies and ministerial statements.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
I am very proud of the work I did with colleagues during my time on the ACMD, including leading work (with @ADPconsultancy ) on reducing opioid-related deaths in the UK ...
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Reducing opioid-related deaths in the UK

This report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs investigates the increase of drug-related deaths in the UK.

www.gov.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
To be fair, there are also citations that check out (e.g. to this study of the lack of racial bias in jury decisions).
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Destroying the BBC would be a far greater act of cultural vandalism than the toppling of any statue.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
The independence of the ACMD was a big factor in my deciding to apply to join in 2014. Please note that members of the ACMD are not paid by the government for their work – it is done in members’ own time, or in time paid for by their employer (for me, it was a mixture of both)
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
I asked for clarification of the number of people this applied to and of the process for excluding suitably qualified applicants. This has not been provided.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Back at home after brain surgery. Thanks to the excellent NHS clinicians, and to all for love, light and support. The op' went well. Will be taking things easy for a while.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Great to see @MichaelMarmot on #Newsnight . 'If you can take policies that increase health inequalities, we can take policies that reverse them'. We need an 'explicit policy' to reverse health inequalities.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
For the difference peer review makes, see the differences between the preprint of Doleac and Mukherjee's deeply flawed paper on the 'moral hazard' of #naloxone (left) and the less flawed version published this month (right).
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
... and on reducing drug-related harms in custody-community transitions
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ACMD report: Custody-community transitions

Report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on how to reduce drug-related harms that occur when people move between custody and the community.

www.gov.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Using public money to cap energy prices, without extra taxes on private energy companies, is a massive transfer of cash from taxpayers to shareholders.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
And if you're interested in examples of how the report repeatedly undermines its own arguments with the data it present, which it then misinterprets...
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
@AdamBienkov Deeply insulting to Remain voters. We voted to *retain* the freedoms we had in the EU.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
To anybody tempted to criticise @Cambridge_Uni criminologists for yesterday's attack: It is not the job of criminologists to assess risk or supervise offenders on license. That is the job of the probation service, which was hugely damaged by Chris Grayling's changes to it.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
I tried to call an ambulance last night for a woman who was in severe mental distress, incoherent and suicidal. Was told I had to call the police, who would then call an ambulance. No crime had been committed.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
P.s. Overdose prevention centres don't have to be a 'silver bullet' to be worth doing. They should be part of a comprehensive system of treatment and harm reduction.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Gives us a couple of hours to sort out our team names.
@christopherhope
Christopher Hope📝
@christopherhope
3 years
BREAKING Boris Johnson to address the nation at 8pm
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Both modelling and empirical studies show that overdose prevention centres are both effective and cost-effective. Latest example:
@Lisa_McNally1
Lisa McNally Ⓥ
@Lisa_McNally1
2 years
New research shows that Overdose Prevention Centres can significantly reduce drug overdoses and the need for urgent hospital care... -
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
@miss_mcinerney @Jem_Collins Media companies provide openly advertised, paid graduate training programmes. They stop unpaid internships.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
@susannareid100 This crisis is showing who the real stars of our society are: underpaid public service workers.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Can I just submit everything I've written for the last fifteen years?
@CommonsHomeAffs
Home Affairs Committee
@CommonsHomeAffs
2 years
1/ We have launched an inquiry into drugs policy and are seeking written evidence on: - The UK drug framework - UK drug policy - The impact of drug use in the UK - International comparisons
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
My advice to early career researchers: academic life is full of rejection; celebrate every step of progress. So off to get a bottle of wine to celebrate a bid being shortlisted by @NIHRresearch
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Criminologists: how many more effective ways are there to spend the money that govt plans to spend on longer #sentences ? I'll start with: - treatment for drug problems. - housing on release from prison. - refund Sure Start and youth services.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Today at the House of Commons, @Drug_Science and @FPH will launch a call for changes to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to make it easier to run pilots of overdose prevention centres in the UK. #DSFPH_OPC 1/5
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
7 months
Just had an article accepted, with no revisions (first time ever). Walking to work with a spring in my step.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
My boss @UniKent just informed me that I will be docked half my pay from 19th April to 10th May for refusing to moderate marks on one module (a task of about two hours) as part of ASOS. Can anyone tell me why I should work more than half-time? @ucu
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Most of the fallacies are here: the gateway hypothesis; the 'sending message' argument; the cannabis-directly-causes-psychosis claim; the idea that higher classification deters use.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Strongly agree with @ProfDavidNutt on this: "This is completely pointless, an utter distraction. This is pretence of doing something about drug problems"
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Laughing gas review to decide on potential new law - BBC News

Home Secretary Priti Patel seeks advice on whether the unlawful possession of nitrous oxide should be a crime.

www.bbc.co.uk
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
When politicians blame universities for saddling students with debt, please remember who decided to make them take out big loans.
@SkyNews
Sky News
@SkyNews
2 years
Sunak vows to crack down on university degrees that do not improve 'earning potential'
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
Next time I submit an article to a journal, I'm going to insist that it be reviewed by an 'independent panel', which I will appoint. #strikeforUSS
@ProfThomasDixon
Thomas Dixon
@ProfThomasDixon
6 years
To be absolutely clear. The expert panel proposed today by UUK is an empty PR exercise designed to explain better why the *existing* valuation is fine. It is *not* what UCU and many VCs are calling for, i.e. a new expert valuation.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
My new article in @ijdrugpolicy reanalyses data from @HBSCStudy and finds no association between policy liberalisation and adolescent cannabis use across 38 countries (£0 for 50 days)
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
@epkaufm False dichotomy. The pursuit of truth is itself a moral endeavour.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Favourite banner so far #PutItToThePeople
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Just got the Oxford vaccine. Feeling fine so far. NHS as friendly and efficient as ever. #LoveNHS 💙 #payriseforkeyworkers
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Got a date for surgery in a couple of weeks. Thanks to the NHS for fitting me in in the lull between pandemic waves. Feeling lucky to have a beautiful spot to absorb the news.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
I know people like to moan about Twitter, but since my recent operation - in between snoozes - it's been a great source of information, stimulation, entertainment and connection. Thanks everyone.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Thread: Imagine you’re leaving prison, desperate to avoid returning to heroin. It’s Friday afternoon, you have no bed for the night, no support, and no #nalaxone . You have £46 in your pocket, but no other income. What do you do?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
The excess profit that Elsevier makes from its exploitative business model is the reason I am resigning as an editor of @ijdrugpolicy , despite the very high regard in which I hold the journal and fellow editors.
@bedform
Prof. Dan Parsons @LboroUniversity 🌏💧🛰🌊⚽️🏏⛳🏈
@bedform
4 years
@jamesheathers This 🔥 .... Elsevier profits 2018 were £942 million! ....a colossal 40% of turnover! If it paid say £100 for every review (say 3 per paper published) then profits would decline by £150M...so, only a bit less for the shareholder dividends.....
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 months
Criminalising drug possession causes harms. Decriminalising drug possession does not.
@JAMAPsych
JAMA Psychiatry
@JAMAPsych
6 months
Legal changes to remove or decrease criminal penalties for drug possession are not associated with fatal drug overdose rate 1-yr post implementation, suggest findings of cohort study. Further research needed to examine medium- and long-term consequences.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Today, I'm wearing my old @RNLI @RNLI_Whitstable crew shirt, in pride and solidarity. #11
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
Just had the results of my latest MRI scan, which is stable. Some good news on #WorldBrainTumorDay
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Very proud to be chairing the @Drug_Science working group on supervised injecting facilities. An excellent group, committed to building knowledge and saving lives. #SIF #DCR #stopthedeaths
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Saying you're 'instinctively' against drug consumption rooms is a classic example of a #moralsidestep ; justifying opposition to harm reduction by citing conservative morality, rather than evidence.
@martinsmith02
martin smith
@martinsmith02
3 years
Boris Johnson 'not in favour' of drug consumption rooms - BBC News
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
So please, however bored you are of lockdown, however angry at the failure to prepare, sick of the carping, or annoyed by the hypocrisy of govt advisers, #followtheadvice #keepyourdistance , and #washyourhands . 6/6
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
@Jem_Collins @miss_mcinerney Doesn't the idea of blogging as a way into journalism still rely on people working for free, so imposing the same class barriers as unpaid internships?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
The UK equivalent of what Biden is doing would be to disapply subsections 5(1) & (2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (which make simple possession a criminal offence) for cannabis, and remove past offences from criminal records. #Decriminalisation
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
Submitted my book on 'drug policy constellations' to @policypress
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Another cited author explains how their work was misused in the #SewellReport . This time, it's the UK's leading expert on health inequalities.
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The Sewell report cited my work – just not the parts highlighting structural racism | Michael Marmot

If the authors had referred to my latest research, they would not have been so quick to dismiss this crucial factor, says professor of epidemiology Michael Marmot

www.theguardian.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
I'll be interested to see what evidence @ukhomeoffice use to show that punishments need to be 'tough' as well as 'swift and certain' in order to deter drug use.
Recreational drug users could have passports and driving licences confiscated under new plans in...

Home Secretary Priti Patel says the move shows the government is "cracking down on drug use" which is "a scourge across society".

news.sky.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Currently writing a book to be published by @policypress on 'Drug Policy Constellations: Power and Morality in the Making of British Policy on Illicit Drugs'.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Canterbury Green Party will not run a candidate in the general election 'in the current political circumstances' (strong remainer @RosieDuffield1 defendinding a slim majority against a hard Brexiteer).
@WhitGreens
Whitstable Greens
@WhitGreens
5 years
At a meeting last night, members of Canterbury District Green Party decided that they would not stand a candidate in the general election 'in the current political circumstances'.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Really looking forward to working on this with @pkquinton @nhendrie1 @uservoiceorg @danlewer @Matt_J_Bacon Steve Parrott, @charlielloyd7 @mpmon @EmWilliamsOU and others.
@SSPSSR
SSPSSR, University of Kent
@SSPSSR
2 years
@AlexStevensKent awarded £1.8m to evaluate police-led drug diversion schemes for drug-involved suspects. Read the full story here:
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
New multi-criteria decision analysis, this time from New Zealand, again suggests that alcohol is the most harmful drug
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
The evidence mounts for reducing the use of prison. Meta-analysis of 116 studies 'shows that custodial sanctions have no effect on reoffending or slightly increase it when compared with the effects of noncustodial sanctions such as probation' #diversion
Custodial Sanctions and Reoffending: A Meta-Analytic Review: Crime and Justice: Vol 50

Abstract Beginning in the 1970s, the United States began an experiment in mass imprisonment. Supporters argued that harsh punishments such as imprisonment reduce crime by deterring inmates from...

www.journals.uchicago.edu
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
Just finished the first full draft of my book on #drugpolicyconstellations . A long time coming.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
@GoodwinMJ Government telling universities how to run their affairs is the opposite of academic freedom.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Pointless policy, stupid headline.
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GHB: Killer drug to be made a Class B substance

It was used in attacks by the UK's most prolific rapist and the serial killer Stephen Port.

www.bbc.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Like every woman in every meeting ever.
@brianmoore666
Brian Moore
@brianmoore666
5 years
I wonder how Theresa May feels seeing Johnson getting praised for agreeing a worse deal than the one she achieved?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
7 months
The new Home Secretary has admitted smoking cannabis in his youth. Will this affect his approach to drug laws, or will he continue the hypocrisy of his colleagues and predecessors and support criminalising young people for doing the same as he did?
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Tory MP James Cleverly admits smoking marijuana and using online porn – video

Conservative MP James Cleverly tells radio listeners he has smoked marijuana and watched online porn

www.theguardian.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
1 year
@g_gosden Does she know she's quoting the slogan ('strength and honour') of a military dictatorship?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
Back home safely and recovering, thanks to the excellent surgeons, nurses and other staff @KingsCollegeNHS Thanks again for the good wishes.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
From my Covid sick bed, a short thread on the utter nonsense of framing public health as a matter of 'personal responsibility' 1/4
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
@miss_mcinerney @Jem_Collins Time is money for people without parental financing. Blogging is work. And even if it were education, forcing people to pay for education by putting in unpaid time reproduces class inequality.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Just had another FoI refusal, basically stating that it might be embarrassing for the body to release the requested info', so it's not in the public interest to do so. Rather misses the point of the #FreedomofInformation Act, doesn't it?
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
6 years
My new article in Addictive Behaviors explains why the UK government is doing so little to reduce drug-related deaths #DRD #OverdoseAwarenessDay 'Highlights' follow...
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Next week, at the #ISSDP2022 conference, I will present the first paper in preparation for my book with @policypress on ‘Drug Policy Constellations’. It examines the role of morality in influencing UK drug policy. Here’s a summary. 1/11
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Later this week, a major event in drug policy analysis: the new book Drug Policy by Prof @AlisonRitter1 is going to be very influential in the field.
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Drug Policy | Alison Ritter | Taylor & Francis eBooks, Reference Works

Taking a multidisciplinary perspective (including public health, sociology, criminology, and political science amongst others) and using examples from across

www.taylorfrancis.com
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
4 years
My letter in the Sunday Times about @ShaunBaileyUK 's pointless but headline-grabbing proposal for workplace drug testing.
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
3 years
Just got invited for my first vaccine dose. #LoveNHS 💙
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
5 years
Reminder: you can't demonstrate a correlation just by showing cases where the outcome you're interested in has occurred. This is known as 'sampling on the dependent variable' and is a fundamental mistake in research methods.
@ClarkeMicah
Peter Hitchens
@ClarkeMicah
5 years
Ross Grainger's unceasing work on the correlation between marijuana use and violent crime, which explodes the ignorant cliched view that cannabis is a 'peaceful drug', is invaluable. More people should heed it. See also:
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@AlexStevensKent
Alex Stevens
@AlexStevensKent
2 years
Putting cannabis in class A would strengthen - not weaken - the link between cannabis and county lines. Here's why... 1/5
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