Diocesan Press Release

The Chemical Generation:
Understanding Young People and Drug Use

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  28 September 1998

INVITATION TO PRESS CONFERENCE

A new report, "The Chemical Generation: Understanding Young People and Drug Use", is to be published jointly by the Southwark Diocesan Board for Church in Society and the National Council for Social Concern. You are invited to a press conference on Thursday October 15 at 1.00 pm, at Montague Chambers, beside Southwark Cathedral. Sandwiches and light refreshments will be available from 12.30 pm.

The Ven. Douglas Bartles-Smith, Archdeacon of Southwark and Vice-Chair of the Board for Church in Society will introduce the report. There will be a short presentation by Paul Buxton, Executive Officer of the Board for Church in Society, the principal author/editor of this review of issues and opinions, and Francis Mac Namara, of the National Council for Social Concern.

Aimed at parents and educators, the report

gives information about what drugs young people use and why they use them;

lists accurate information about various drugs and their risks and effects;

includes a candid interview with a drug user and with a drug advice worker;

features contributions from several people who take a critical look at Government policy in this vital area, some of whom advocate a radical re-think on drugs, including decriminalization for some or all drugs currently prohibited.

Paul Buxton says: "With growing evidence of a heroin epidemic affecting the UK and drug-related crime again on the increase, it is time to take a long, hard look at our national drugs policy and consider all of the alternatives".

Copies of the report will be available at the press conference. Apart from the summary given above, its contents are embargoed until then: 1pm on 15 October 1998.

The Chemical Generation: Understanding Young People and Drug Use, published jointly by the Southwark Diocesan Board for Church in Society and the National Council for Social Concern. £6.99 (+ £1.50 P&P) from BCS Publications, Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court. London SE1 1HW.

DIRECTIONS:

Southwark Cathedral is at the south end of London Bridge (mainline and underground stations). Montague Chambers is adjacent to the Cathedral on the side facing the River.

Ends.