Bingham, Tim (2016) Moving forward by changing the narrative on drug use. Tim Bingham blog,
External website: http://timbingham.ie/decriminalisation/
Presentation to the UCC Journalism Society.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines addiction as the dependence syndrome as being a cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or a class of substances takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value.
Note that the term Addiction is not used by the WHO. The term addiction for many is a label people carry for the rest of their lives. For example “I am a recovering addict” “I am an addict” The term addict for many is demeaning and adds to the stigma of a individual who uses drugs.
In my experience most of the people I have worked with have suffered trauma in one way or another and use drugs as a coping mechanism. For many stigma prevents people from accessing help because of the feelings of worthlessness and shame.........
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance use laws > Drug laws
MM-MO Crime and law > Criminal penalty / sentence
N Communication, information and education > Message / Language (portrayal of use) > Portrayal of substance use in the media
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
Repository Staff Only: item control page