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Media/News > Transform in the Media
There are three sections here:
Selection of broadcast media interviews by Transform staff
Published articles and comment by Transform staff
Selection of print media articles quoting Transform
Selection of broadcast media by Transform
Talksport and London City Radio (02.06.2011)
Steve Rolles was interviewed about change in dutch drug regulation and on the GCDP report
Press Association newswire - Global Commission on Drug policy (02.06.2011)
Steve Rolles comments on the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Al Jazeera - Has the global war on drugs failed? (02.06.2011)
Steve Rolles debates with Neil McKeganey in Inside Story
BBC World service, BBC radio 5, various radios (02.06.2011)
Danny Kushlick gave many interviews following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Radio Humberside (10.03.2011)
Danny Kushlick gave an interview about Lord Norton's debate on the royal commission on drug policy
02.03.2011
Steve Rolles gave a few radio interviews (BBC, LBC) on the cannabis psychosis paper which was published in the BMJ
16.12.2010
Steve Rolles made the following media appearances, discussing the former drugs minister and defence secretary Bob Ainsworth's call for the legalisation of drugs:
- BBC Radio 5 live 9-10am phone-in
- BBC Radio Wales 12-1pm phone-in
- BBC GNS regional stations (7 separate interviews in a row)
- LBC telephone interview
- Talk Europe
- BBC Radio 4 PM programme (pre-record)
Additonally, Transform's campaigns and communications manager, Martin Powell, also contributed to a debate about Ainsworth's comments on Radio Humberside.
BBC 5 Live (06.09.2010)
Danny Kushlick talks to Kate Silverton.
CNN - Connect the World: Drug Special (18.08.2010)
Becky Anderson hosts "Connect the World" which brings together Steve Rolles (Transform) and Bob Stutman (former agent with the US Drug Enforcement Administration) in a debate about the War on Drugs. Even though they both agree the drug use issue should be treated as a health problem and not as a criminal one, they don't have the same opinion on the results of the War on Drugs.
BBC World Service - Europe Today (17.08.2010)
Steve Rolles describes how drugs would be supplied, bought and sold in a system of legalisation and regulation, moving the market from the control of organised illegal criminals and bringing it into the law and the control of state government entities.
Sky News - (17.08.2010)
In the second video, Steve Rolles explains drug misuse is a medical problem and not a criminal issue and should be dealt with as such.
BBC Radio 4 - Today Programme - (17.08.2010)
Steve Rolles explains how prohibition has made "drugs more dangerous than they already are and undermining public health and fuelling crime" and how an alternative system could work.
BBC - The Politics Show - (20.06.10)
Danny Kushlick joined in the debate on the Politics Show with Prof David Nutt on the subject of Cannabis classification. The section starts around 42 minutes into the show.
BBC - Unreliable evidence - The Law and Drugs - (09.01.10)
Clive Anderson presents the series analysing the legal issues of the day, with Transform patron former chief constable Francis Wilkinson, Paul Mendelle QC Chair of the Criminal Bar Association.
Talk Sport radio - (21.01.10)
Steve Rolles on talk sport radio talking about legalisation.
BBC News - Chris Huhne and Transform debate the use of drugs - (04.12.09)
Steve Rolles from Transform and Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman Chris Huhne on drugs policy. Gyles Brandreth and Bonnie Greer join in the debate.
Voxafrica - Drugs in West Africa: the new South America?- (30.11.09)
Discussion about the increasing drug trade from Latin America to Europe via West Africa. Featuring Transform board member Dr Axel Klein.
Late night Live - After the war on drugs - (16.11.09)
A discussion with Steve Rolles and Deborah Small about the fact that no proper comparison of prohibition, legalisation and regulation of illicit drug use has ever been conducted.
CNN - Connector of the day - (19.11.09)
Steve Rolles discusses After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation on CNN International. Some good questions and a huge audience.
BBC Today - Should drugs be regulated? - (14.11.09)
Steve Rolles and Tom Wainwright debate whether a regulated market in drugs would be possible in the Uk.
BBC Radio 4 - The World Tonight - Steve Rolles talks about the sacking of David Nutt (02.11.09)
Transform's Steve Rolles, former Police Chief Brian Paddick and Peter Kelner of YouGov discuss drug classification in the light of the sacking of ACMD head David Nutt (the section of drug policy starts at about 27 minutes in).
The Today Programme - Danny Kushlick says the war on drugs was lost a long time ago (12.05.09)
The international cocaine market is "in retreat", Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) claims. Danny Kushlick, of the drug policy think tank Transform, discusses whether the war on drugs is being won.
The Today Programme - Steve Rolles talks about the Transform cost benefit analysis report (7.04.09)
'Replacing drug prohibition with a regime of local regulation would save billions of pounds and significantly improve the lives of millions of UK citizens, the drugs charity Transform says. Steve Rolles head of research for Transform, reveals the conclusions of his report.'
Al Jazeera English - Frost over the world - The Drugs Debate (27.03.09)
Transform's Steve Rolles debates with Anne Widdecombe about whether it's time to end the War on Drugs.
Channel4 News - Steve Rolles talks about regulation and control (28.02.08)
Steve Rolles takes part in a debate with Pat McCarthy, a mother of a heroin addict, and Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts about drug policy.
Published articles and comment written by Transform
The Daily Mirror - Should we legalise drugs to win the war? (24.01.2012)
Danny Kushlick explains why the drugs war, which is supposed to protect public health, has done just the opposite and why we should explore the options of drug regulation.
Open Democracy - International security and the global war on drugs: The tragic irony of drug securitisation (10.08.2011)
Danny Kushlick considers the securitisation of drugs as one of the greatest threats to international and human security
British Medical Journal - An Alternative to the War on Drugs (July 2010)
Steve Rolles argues that we need to end the criminalisation of drugs and instead set up regulatory models that will control drug markets and reduce the health and social harms caused by current policy.
Barrister Magazine - After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation - Page 17 (11.01.10)
Steve Rolles discusses drug policy, regulation and Transform's After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.
Barrister Magazine - After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation (Jan 10)
Steve Rolles calls on criminal justice professionals to engage with 'After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation' (scroll to page 16).
Policing Today - After the War on Drugs (Dec 09)
Following recent controversy surrounding government policy on drugs, Steve Rolles of Transform calls for a fresh approach to tackling the problem. For page 2 of the article click here.
Drink and Drug News (DDN) - Redrawing the landscape (30.11.09)
What could a world with legalised drugs look like? With growing consensus that the 'war on drugs' has failed, Steve Rolles, shares a blueprint for careful regulation of all currently prohibited drugs.
Health Matters Issue 76 - Disappointment - albeit predictable - in Vienna (Summer 09)
Emily Crick and Claudia Rubin argue that the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is hindering progress.
The Guardian - Immunised from scrutiny (07.04.09)
Danny Kushlick argues that legalising drugs is less harmful and costly than prohibition - as the Home Office's own data shows.
The Journal - Cannabis: throwing the first stone (23.02.09)
Steve Rolles argues that the Government's efforts to stamp out cannabis use are doing more harm than good.
Drink and Drug news - In pursuit of truth (06/10/08)
Danny Kushlick talks about the need for drug law reformers to work together to capitilise on the shifting attitudes towards prohibition.
Oxford Forum Magazine -'Protection racket' (Autumn 2008)
Danny Kushlick makes the case for drug legalisation, asking 'who and what exactly is being protected by prohibition?'
The Guardian - Drug prohibition - an untenable hypocrisy (13.08.08)
Danny Kushlick congratulates former head of the government's anti-drug coordination unit, Julian Critchley, for publicly calling for the legalisation of drugs.
The Guardian - Legislation a no-go areas (30.07.08)
In Comment is Free, Steve Rolles argues that a report from the UK Drug Policy Commission like so many before it fails to recognise the simple fact that prohibition is actually part of the problem.
Emily Crick argues that it is not coca growing per se that fuels the conflict in Colombia, but the fact that cocaine is illegal - a point lost on most policymakers.
The Guardian - Policy Narcosis (27.02.08)
Steve Rolles argues that the Government's new drug strategy is essentially a restatement of the previous one, and doomed to perpetuate the same disastrous failings, primarily because it remains dogmatically rooted in the outdated principles of a punitive prohibitionist approach.
The government's new review of cannabis classification will not help the situation, writes Steve Rolles.
Take a Break - How can we stop this? (31.01.08)
Steve Rolles argues that the time has come for a change in policy.
The Independent - Time to Ditch a Failing Drug Policy (03.01.08)
Danny Kushlick argues that prohibition has failed.
The Mirror - Top Cop: Ecstasy is safer than aspirin (02.01.08)
Danny Kushlick argues that drugs will be made legal through licensed outlets or doctors within 10 years.
"While in many ways things look much like they did in 2007, in the drug policy world a quiet revolution has taken place. The monolith of absolute global drug prohibition has collapsed, being replaced with a series of different regulatory regimes for the legal control of drug production and supply. Steve Rolles describes what a post-prohibition world might look like and the changes it could bring to the streets of Britain."
Steve Rolles refutes an article by Joseph Califano in the BMJ which was itself in response to a debate about whether drugs should be decriminalised.
In our regular forum on policy issues Ted Leggett of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna, and Steve Rolles, Information Officer at Transform, exchange views on the issue of drug scheduling.
Danny Kushlick argues that the government's drug policy over the last decade has comprehensively failed, delivering the exact opposite of its primary aims.
Prescribed heroin for long-term addicts would be a better way of reducing the drug trade, says Steve Rolles.
Ted Leggett from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Steve Rolles from Transform discuss the potency of cannabis.
The perception that low drug use in Sweden is a direct result of the country's tough anti-drugs policy is a finding considerable traction in the UK. But, argues Steve Rolles, it is both simplistic and misleading.
Opinion piece written by Danny Kushlick as spokesperson for the Drugs and Health Alliance (DHA). He criticises the current drug policy for its overbearing criminal justice led approach, and demands that it should be public health led. The DHA is introduced as a growing alliance of organisations calling for this change.
Article in Drugscope's Druglink magazine written by Steve Rolles arguing against plans to legalise Afghan opium production for medical use.
Short comment article by Danny Kushlick in response to the RSA Drug Report which was highly critical of the UK's current drug strategy.
No matter how many reports are published, international geopolitics and populism will see to it that drug policy overhaul is shelved time after time, says Danny Kushlick.
Five page cover story about "the incredible story of the UK's most outspoken and influential organisation on drug law and policy".
Lead story in the Scottish Daily Mail about the Strathclyde Police Federation's call to legalise all drugs. The 3 page article features a comment piece from Danny Kushlick arguing in favour of legalising hard drugs. To see the article in the Mail, click here.
Danny Kushlick responds to an article written by Marcel Berlins after Charles Clarke decides not to amend cannabis classification.
Comment article by Steve Rolles about the Home Office's misleading claims about the success of its drug strategy.
Three page article asking six experts to assess the success of Labour's drug policies after eight years in office. Danny Kushlick features in the article as one of the experts.
The Guardian -Prison is not the answer (August 19 2005)
Contains a letter from Steve Rolles criticizing prohabition and the prison system.
New legislation on drugs promises harsher penalties for people convicted of dealing to children or near schools and broadening the definition of possession to include having an illegal drug in the bloodstream. Danny Kushlick and David Green of right-leaning Civitas, the Institute for Study of Civil Society, disagree on the merits of the proposals.
Comment article by Danny Kushlick about the connection between crime and drug prohibition.
Detailed article by Danny Kushlick in the analysis section of the Guardian's comment pages about the social and economic costs of drug prohibition.
Danny Kushlick puts forward the 'yes' argument.
Will legalisation win the war on drugs? Ann Widdecombe and Danny Kushlick try to smoke out a solution.
Danny Kushlick, Director of Transform, argues that a much more radical shift in our approach to illicit drugs will be needed if we are to deal with drug-related offending. For him, ending the drug war and dealing with the consequences of drug misuse means ending prohibition itself.
Steve Rolles provides an analysis of the crisis in international drug enforcement, timed to coincide with the half way point in the the 1998 UN ten-year drug strategy.
Parents at the sharp end of drugs tragedies have taken a courageous stand against laws that harm, argues Danny Kushlick in response to Susan Greenfield 's Observer commentary.
The government boasts of evidence-based policy making, yet there seems to be little or no evidence available to support the current policy of prohibiting drugs, argues Danny Kushlick.
Danny Kushlick argues that prohibition causes and exacerbates social exclusion, especially in regard to vulnerable groups. The legalisation, regulation and control of illegal drugs would reduce homelessness by removing many of the problems experienced by homeless people who are dependent upon prohibited drugs. Dr Adrian Bonner, Head of the National Addiction Service, Salvation Army argues the counter position, that legalisation could increase homelessness.
Danny Kushlick and Keith Hellawell, the governments 'Drug Czar', answer 10 questions about drug prohibition.
Policy is shifting from punishing to treating drug users – but little will change while drug use remains a criminal issue, argues Steve Rolles.
Comment by Danny Kushlick in response to a Panorama programme on the former Chief Constable of Gwent Constabulary became a patron of a national campaign to legalise all drugs.
The war on drugs is lost, says Danny Kushlick. More and more young people are taking illegal drugs - and prohibition breeds crime. So why is the new labour Government opposed to a public debate on legalisation?
Tim Malyon is currently a trustee for Transform. In 1986 - 10 years before Transform was established - he wrote this cover article in the New Statesmen "which surveys the evidence against the American-led panic which is trying to sweep all dissent under the carpet".
Selection of news articles mentioning or quoting Transform
The Guardian - Drug-driving law could be toughened (04.01.2012)
Quote from Steve Rolles
The Guardian - Time for NGOs to talk about drugs (22.11.2011)
Transform and Count the Costs are mentioned
Huffington Post UK - Drugs Policy: Why Ex-Policy Makers Break The Drugs Taboo (21.11.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick
The Guardian - Colombian president calls for global rethink on drugs (12.11.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick
Security Management - Assessing progress in the War on Drugs (05.10.2011)
Danny Kushlick and Count the Costs
The Guardian - 'Legal highs' prevalence makes ban policy 'ridiculous' (03.09.2011)
Quotes from Steve Rolles
Left Foot Forward - Legalising drugs would help reduce the deficit (06.08.2011)
Transform is mentioned
The Independent - Lib Dems to vote to decriminalise all drug use (05.08.2011)
Quotes from Danny Kushlick
CNBC News - Could legally getting high reduce the deficit? (23.06.2011)
Quotes from Danny Kushlick
Washington Examiner - The Globalisation of America's war on drugs (05.06.2011)
With quotes from Blueprint
NZ Herald - Global reformers say it's time for change on drugs (02.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Yorkshire Post - Dench and Branson in call to legalise drug use (02.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Channel 4 - War on drugs 'not working' (02.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Mail Online - Luvvies for legalisation: You're being naive in the extreme, celebrities told after drugs plea to PM (02.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
The Guardian - Many agree, none act: to ease untold misery, legalise drugs (01/06/2011)
Quote from Steve Rolles following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Yahoo News - Global leaders call for a major shift to decriminalise drugs (01.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Metro - War on drugs 'just isn't working' say global leaders (01.06.2011)
Quote from Danny Kushlick following the Global Commission on Drug Policy report
Red Pepper - Drug club: Spain's alternative cannabis economy (June 2011)
Quoting Count the Costs and Transform
Drug Foundation - Guest Editorial by Steve Rolles (31.05.2011)
Introducing the Count the Costs initiative
The Observer - Leading world politicians urge 'paradigm shift' on drugs policy (29.05.2011)
Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
The Independent - Channel 4 courts controversy in broadcast of class A drug use (12.05.2011)
Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Palladium - Mephedrone and the Media - Issue 6
Danny Kushlick is quoted by Nic Fleming on the drug problem, in an article about the coverage of drugs following the ban of mephedrone.
Elespectador.com - Sobre como legalizar las drogas - (11.09.2010)
In this blog, Jorge Colombo describes different patterns of drug consumption and details the proposed roadmap Transform came up with for legalisation.
Guardian.co.uk - Britain's drug policy will not improve until we are bold enough to experiment - (05.09.2010)
Alex Stevens argues that we should follow Portugal's example and try out alternatives to prohibition before ruling every option out. He quotes Transform as one of the organisations which has been supporting regulation and control.
Guardian.co.uk - War on Drugs: Bring out the peace pipe - (18.08.2010)
Another Guardian editorial mentioning Steve Rolles and Transform summing up the woldwide failures of the war on drugs.
Channel4 - Legalise drugs to improve health: top doctor - (17.08.2010 )
Video interview of Ian Gilmore supporter by a written article which mention Steve Rolles and his recent article in the BMJ.
Telegraph.co.uk - Senior doctor: decriminalise drug use - (17.08.2010)
Following Sir Ian Gilmore's call for decriminalisation of personal drug use, Danny Kushlick argues it is doctors' responsibility to work to reduce harm.
Yorkshire Post - Leading physician backs reform calls for legalised use of drugs - (17.08.2010)
Sir Ian Gilmore called for decriminalisation as his presidency of the Royal College of Physicians came to an end. Danny Kushlick explains it is physicians' duty "to speak out if the outcomes show that prohibition causes more harm than it reduces".
El Universal – En la hora de la legalizacion de las drogas - (04.08.2010)
English translation here: At the time of the legalisation of drugs
One of El Universal's columnists rejoices in the Mexican’s president recent decision to debate on legalising drugs. Jorge Javier Romero explains Transform’s alternative to the war on drugs and how a post-prohibition world could look like.
Medscape – Vienna Declaration urges global decriminalization of drug use – (27.07.2010)
The international community is calling for a drug policy reform and Steve Rolles is quoted extensively explaining how the War on Drugs has failed as much on public health, criminal justice and human rights levels.
Independent.co.uk – Bar Chairman backs calls to reconsider drug laws – (20.07.2010)
In his recent report, Nicholas Green QC has called for decriminalisation, arguing it can have positive consequences and free up huge amounts of resources. Danny Kushlick is quoted explaining change is inevitable.
Politics.co.uk – Experts turn against war on drugs – (19.07.2010)
This article reminds us of Cameron and Clegg’s past attitudes regarding drug policy, and also reports on recent public statements from the Bar Chairman. With quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Interview with Danny Kushlick at Broadcasting House - June 2010
Danny speaking succinctly and powerfully.
The Independent - Cameron is concealing his inner Bush - (30.04.10)
Johann Hari writes about David Cameron's election campaign and mentions his attitude to addiction treatment which is commented on by Danny Kushlick.
The Independent - Crackdowns on drug dealers led to rise in violent crime, study finds - (27.04.10)
The article cites evidence showing prohibition leads to the opposite of its stated goals, ending with a response from Steve Rolles.
Nexos - ¿Y después de la guerra? - (01.03.10)
Article with Steve Rolles and reference to After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.
Comunidade segura - Once the war on drugs is over, then what? - (15.04.10)
An interview with Steve Rolles.
This is Bristol - Dan's the man who's putting the case for People's Manifesto - (10.04.10)
Local article about Danny Kushlick's 2nd job as a candidate for the people's manifesto.
Scotsman - Rare 'hippy' drug seized by police in raid on city shop - (10.04.10)
Details of an arrest regarding mescaline with comment from Steve Rolles.
Guardian - Only drug dealers will benefit from this absurd ban on mephedrone - (01.04.10)
A sensibly written article about the mephedrone ban and surrounding issues with quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Guardian - Mephedrone: the anatomy of a media drug scare - (05.04.10)
Hysteria and inaccuracies have been the main ingredients of the media coverage of mephedrone, article about the mephedrone ban with response from Danny Kushlick.
The Scotsman - Drug adviser No7 resigns and attacks ministers for criminalising the young - (03.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Daily Star - Adviser quits over Mephedrone ban - (02.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Guardian - Mephedrone row grows as seventh member of drugs panel quits - (04.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Guardian - Drug adviser joins exodus after ban on mephedrone - (02.04/.10)
A more detailed article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Virgin Media - Adviser quits over mephedrone ban - (02/04/10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
The Independent - Drugs adviser Eric Carlin quits over 'rushed' Mephedrone ban - (02.04.10)
A more detailed article about Mr Eric Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Uk Press Association - Adviser quits over mephedrone ban - (02.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Timesofmalta.com - Drugs adviser quits over 'rushed' mephedrone ban - (02.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
Express.co.uk - Adviser quits over mephedrone ban - (02.04.10)
Article about Mr Carlin's resignation over the mephedrone ban with comment from Danny Kushlick.
The Independent - Johann Hari: Drugs, royals, and the lousy laws being rushed through - (02.04.10)
Sensible article with praise for Transform.
Cherwell - Drug transformation - (13.02.10)
Oxford University's online student news site delivers a great write up about Transform and an interview with Danny Kushlick.
Drink and Drug News - Report shows drug strategy ‘lack of evidence’ - (31.01.10)
A Home Office report on value for money in drug strategy spending demonstrates the lack of evidence behind the strategy, according to Transform. With comment from Danny Kushlick
Open Democracy - Drugs: towards a global tolerance regime - (22.01.10)
A detailed exploration of the necessity of introducing an internationally regulated drugs market with praise for After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation. Written by Mick Moore.
Herald Scotland - Seven dead, 14 hospitalised... who is infecting Scotland’s heroin with anthrax? - (18.01.10)
News story about the latest deaths from contaminated heroin in Scotland. Comment from Jolene Crawford from Transform Drug Policy Foundation Scotland.
Sydney Morning Herald - Drug prohibition doesn't work - so what do we do next? - (07.01.10)
Article supporting a move towards a legalised method of regulation. Transform Drug Policy Foundation, a respected drug reform group, has been working to dispel ignorance and prejudice. Believing that the time for action is now, the group recently published After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.
PJOnline - Food for thought for enlightened professionals - (07.01.10)
Review of After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation by the Pharmaceutical Journal online version.
Yahoo news - Johnson outlaws 'legal highs' - (23.12.09)
Article in response to the criminlisation of Spice, GBL and BZP with comment from Steve Rolles.
Elsevier - International Journal of Drug Policy - (2009)
Towards a Global Approach’–An overview of Harm Reduction 2008: IHRA’s 19th International Conference. Transform cited.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy annual conference - (04.12.09)
Article about their annual conference with comments from Steve Rolles.
Herald Tribune - Pragmatism spurs debate over marijuana laws (29.11.09)
American article discussing Marijuana legalization and mentioning how Transform's After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation, can address a fear of the unknown.
ABC News - Ex-minister backs illegal drug regulation - (16.11.09)
Former Fraser government minister Peter Baume has endorsed an international report which proposes regulating illegal drugs in the same way as pharmaceuticals.
Associated Press (US) - Advocates Against War on Drugs working on options - (13.11.09)
News Story about the Albuquerque drug policy conference, picked up by around 20 local and regional news outlets.
The Economist - Drugs virtually legal - (13.11.09)
Article highlighting different country's attitudes and implementation of drug policy, includes a reference to After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.
The Daily Record (Scotland) - Legalise drugs and Save Scotland £2 billion a year - (13.11.09)
References to Transform and comments from Steve Rolles.
The Daily Record (Scotland) - Time is Right for Drugs Debate - (13.11.09)
Article about legalisation of drugs in Scotland and the possibility of prescribing Heroin. References to Transform.
BBC news - Sell drugs in shops says think tank - (12.11.09)
Home Office response to the launch of After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation, with comments from Steve Rolles.
Sue Blackmore in the Guardian - The jaw-jaw after the War on Drugs - (12.11.09)
Analysis of Transform's After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation with a reference to Steve Rolles
Reason magazine - A Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy for Opium Dens - (12.11.09)
Opinion and response to After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation by Jacob Sullum.
The Independent - Accept the facts - and end this futile 'war on drugs' (11.11.09)
Johann Hari argues that we are handing over one of our biggest industries to armed, criminal gangs. The article includes a plug for Transform's new publication, After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.
Sunday People - Not as Nutty as you think - (08.11.09)
Article commenting on the sacking of Professor Nutt and attitudes to legalisation. Mentioning Steve Rolles and Transform
Sunday Times - Lord McCluskey calls for drugs to be legalised - (08.11.09)
McCluskey promoting Transform's After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation by Steve Rolles , and says "treating drugs as a criminal issue was wrong, and they should be regarded as a health problem.".
Sky News - Sacking may boost drug legalisation drive - (03.11.09)
Article discussing the sacking of Professor David Nutt with comments from Steve Rolles.
The Guardian - Labour is in denial over cannabis row (02.11.09)
Comment is Free piece arguing that David Nutt tried to tell Labour that our drugs classification system was obsolete – but the political die was cast long ago. Including quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Bristol 24/7 - Drugs adviser sacked for speaking 'inconvenient truth' (02.11.09)
Local Bristol online paper says the government's chief drugs adviser was sacked for “articulating an inconvenient truth” in an “evidence-free” area of policy driven by “fear and propaganda”. Including quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Reuters - Fresh thinking on the war on drugs (03.09.09)
Reuters blogger Bernd Debussman reviews the need for a change in policy and also mentions Transform's new book 'After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation'.
Daily Express - Killer party drugs to be banned (25.08.09)
News story about the Government's decision to ban 'legal highs'. Includes quotes from Steve Rolles.
Telegraph - 'Legal high' party drugs to be banned (25.08.09)
News story about the Government's decision to ban 'legal highs'. Includes quotes from Steve Rolles.
Financial Times - Why its time to end the war on drugs (31.07.09)
Matthew Engel argues that the time has come to tax and regulate drugs. Includes quotes from Danny Kushlick.
The DIY ethic (29.06.09) - Pd
There are surprisingly few hep C support groups specifically for drug users. David Gilliver hears from a service user who decided, with help from the local BBV nurse, to set up her own.
The Scotsman - Cocaine prices hit record level due to drug seizures, says Britain's FBI (13.05.09)
Report of the claim by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) to be winning the war on drugs following a rise in the price of cocaine. Extensive response from Danny Kushlick including 'the government is cherry-picking statistics in order to dupe us into believing we are winning (the war on drugs)'.
The Independent - We're winning the war against the cocaine industry, police declare (13.05.09)
Reporting the claim from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) of progress in the 'war against drugs' because the price of cocaine had increased and purity levels dropped. Features the response from Danny Kushlick "There is a health issue because it means people do not know what they are taking."
BBC - Mark Easton's UK - Soca and coca (12.05.09)
Anaysis and comment on the claim by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) to be winning the 'war against drugs'.
The Guardian - Drug busts force price of cocaine to record levels (12.05.09)
Drug busts by the UK's organised crimefighting agency have helped force dealers to push up their wholesale cocaine prices to record levels, the head of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has claimed.
The Telegraph - Drugs busts force wholesale cocaine prices to record levels, says Soca head (12.05.09)
Reporting the claim by Trevor Pearce head of SOCA that the agency had helped force dealers raise wholesale cocaine prices to record levels.
The New Statesman - Limping along on the left (23.04.09)
Peter Wilby asks why the left has not supported legalisation of drugs when 'Almost anybody who studies the drugs problem with an open mind for more than five minutes concludes that legalisation is the best answer' Quotes from Transform's 'excellent new report'.
The Telegraph - Illegal drugs cost the country £16b a year, says charity Transform (07.04.09)
Covering the publication of the Transform-commissioned cost benefit analysis of prohibition and quoting Steve Rolles: "It is unconscionable that UK drug enforcement spending continues to deliver such appalling outcomes, whilst remaining immune to meaningful scrutiny and evaluation."
BBC - Mark Easton's UK - Could we save billions by legalising drugs? (07.04.09)
Looks at this question making extensive use of data and arguments from the Transform report 'A Comparison of the Cost-effectiveness of the Prohibition and Regulation of Drugs'. With comments.
The Herald - Call for heroin and cocaine to be legalised in bid to halve deaths (07.04.09)
Coverage of the Transform-commissioned cost benefit analysis of prohibition, quoting a Home Office official saying "Drugs are controlled because they are harmful" and from the report "There is a far higher human cost under the current policy of criminally controlled markets than would occur under state control and regulation."
The Mirror - Calls to legalise drugs to halve crime (07.04.09)
Coverage of the report commissioned by Transform contaning detailed cost benefit analysis of prohibition and quoting Lib Dem spokesman David Howarth welcoming the report and saying: "For far too long, drugs policy has been dictated by what sounds tough, not what works."
The Financial Times - Call to review drugs legalisation (07.04.09)
Article on the cost benefit analysis of drug prohibition commissioned by Transform quoting Steve Rolles: 'Mr Rolles saying that even by the government's own measures it is now clear that drug enforcement is causing more harm than the drugs themselves and calling for a comprehensive impact assessment.
The Guardian - Legalisation of drugs could save UK £14bn, says study (07.04.09)
Article on the publication of the report commissioned by Transform examining all aspects of the costs of prohibition and concluding that regulation of the drugs markets is a dramatically more cost-effective policy.
Scotsman - UN review - unintended consequences (12.03.09)
Poor countries 'in chaos' after ten years of UN's war on drugs.
The Guardian - Grasping the nettle: five strategies for a pressing problems (11.03.09)
Duncan Campbell considers the five main approaches to drugs and the law: prohibition; regulated sale; depenalisation; decriminalisation for personal use; and legalisation.
The Guardian - Libby Brooks column on the the UN General Assembly special session on drugs (05.03.09)
Libby Brooks writes about the lack of debate on the harm caused by drug prohibition in advance of the UN General Assembly special session on narcotics in Vienna.
The Guardian - Spending on drugs education welcomed (16.02.09)
In a report of a new television advertisement warning teenages of the dangers of cannabis Steve Rolles welcomed the spending on drugs education which was usually 'starved of resources'.
The Independent - Obama and the lethal drugs war (11.02.09)
Johann Hari argues that President Barak Obama needs to urgently talk about the ongoing War on Drugs and the damage it is doing to countries such as Mexico and Afghanistan.
The Independent: The Big Question: do we need a new debate about relaxing drugs policy in Britain? (11.02.09)
Asks whether a debate is needed following the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report proposing the downgrading of Ectasy.
Report on how a rift between the EU and US over how to deal with global trafficking in illicit drugs is undermining international efforts to agree a new UN strategy.
Reuters - US and Europe split over drug use (30.01.09)
Report that U.N.-sponsored negotiations on a new global drugs strategy are close to breaking down.
The Guardian - Making a hash of drugs policy (26.01.09)
Peter Tatchel writes that the UK government is about to face a long overdue legal challenge to its misinterpretation of the law on cannabis use.
The Observer - 'The Legaliser' (16.11.08)
Interview with Danny Kushlick, founder and head of policy and communications at Transform Drug Policy Foundation.
The Times - New penalties for cannabis possession (14.10.08)
Report that government plans for tougher penalties for cannabis possession were unravelling within hours of being announced yesterday by the Home Secretary.
Daily Mirror - Cannabis upgrades to class B bringing tougher penalities for users (14.10.08)
Announcement that the government plans to reclassify cannabis to class B from Januuary 2009. Danny Kushlick accused ministers of "populist posturing" which "gifts the market to criminal gangs".
Drink and Drug News - In pursuit of truth - (06/10/08)
Danny Kushlick suggests that the drugs field needs to be more honest if we are together to bring an end to the drug war.
Looks at the pros and cons of legalising cannabis following the publication of a report for next year's United Nations Strategic Drug Policy Review, suggesting that a decriminalised, regulated market would cause less harm than the prohibition of the drug.
A report prepared for the UN's 2009 drug policy review suggests that a regulated market for cannabis would cause less harm than the current international prohibition.
Report of the decision by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the legal status of ecstasy following a report by the Commons science and technology committee two years ago recommending urgent action.
Report of research published by the Department of Health showing that more than one-third of the population has experimented with a banned substance at least once with almost 2 million poeple taking illegal drugs at least once a month.
Julian Critchley, the former director of the Cabinet Office's anti-drugs unit says he now believes that legalisation would be less harmful than the current strategy. In a contribution to the debate on the "war on drugs" he said he believed the fall in crime as a result of legalisation would be dramatic.
Article on the pros and cons of prohibition following publication of a report by the independent UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC) suggesting suggesting that the billions of pounds spent trying to reduce the availability of drugs on the streets had been in vain.
Downing Street has signalled Gordon Brown remains determined to tighten the law on cannabis - against the advice of an independent panel of experts.
The Guardian - PM keen to reclassify cannabis despite committee advice (03.04.08)
An article on the re-clasification of cannabis from a Class C substance to a Class B.
The Mirror - Cannabis 'Illegal and unacceptable' (02.04.08)
Article on Gordon Browns threats of a cannabis crackdown.
The Observer - 'Coke fashionistas' are ruining Africa - UN boss (09.03.08)
'Coke-snorting fashionistas', such as Amy Winehouse, are glamorising drug use and helping to fuel a cocaine trade that could be as devastating to Africa as slavery says the UNODC director. Transform argues that Amy Winehouse is actually an advertisement against drugs use.
The Guardian - Drug cartels running rampant, says UN (05.03.08)
An article about government targeting small time users rather than targeting the major drug traffickers.
The Telegraph - Drug addicts who drop out of rehab 'to lose benefits' (28.02.08)
Drug addicts who refuse treatment will lose welfare benefits for up to six months under new Government proposals.
BBC News - Warning over cannabis lung harm (31.01.08)
Article about a study claiming cannabis smoking to be a cause of lung damage.
The Independent - The Big Question: How dangerous is Ecstasy, and is there a case to review its legal status? (03.01.08)
Looks at the pros and cons of legalising cannabis following the publication of a report for next year's United Nations Strategic Drug Policy Review, suggesting that a decriminalised, regulated market would cause less harm than the prohibition of the drug.
Considers the effectiveness reviews of the drug strategy undertaken by the UK Government and supressed until recently released following an FOI request from Transform.
The Guardian - Key advisers attack new drugs policy (02.12.07)
Article about the Government's plans to draw up a new drugs policy, comment by Steve Rolles.
An article analysing the pros and cons of drug treatment. Feature a quote from Danny Kushlick warning against over-hyping the effectiveness treatment and ignoring the problems of prohibition.
News article mentioning Transform's Tools for the Debate publication along with quotes from Steve Rolles critiquing the government's drug strategy consultation.
Features an anonymous quote from Transform dismissing calls to reclassify cannabis as political posturing.
Features an anonymous quote from Transform criticising calls to reclassify cannabis as being about political posturing and having nothing to do with science.
The Independent - Johann Hari: The very worst policy to combat drugs (12.07.07)
Johann Hari argues against Iain Duncan Smith's belief that spliff-smoking is such a catastrophe that cannabis needs reclassifying.
The Guardian - It's not a moral panic. Drugs really do destroy communities (25.05.07)
Vernon Coaker refutes comments by Danny Kushlick that drugs are a social problem not a criminal justice issue.
Excellent article describing the history prohibition and the 'moral panic' that has accompanied it. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
The Telegraph - Rip up Britain's drugs laws, report urges (09.03.07)
An independent commission called for a fundamental overhaul of Britain's 35-year-old strategy aimed at eradicating drug abuse entirely.
News article about the non-story alleging that David Cameron smoked cannabis when he was 15. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
The Guardian - Rewards to tempt addicts to stay clean (26.01.07)
An article about a proposed scheme in which aims to reward drug addicts receiving treatment with shopping vouchers to encourage them to stay clean.
The Guardian - MPs savage government's 'ad hoc' drug policy (31.07.06)
News article about MP's mounting an attack on the governments drug policy and challanging the basis for the ABC classification system, saying that the harm caused by drugs should be separated from criminal penalties.
BBC News - Drug classification rethink urged (31.07.06)
An article on current drug classifications and a call for a more scientific and logical drug clasification system.
The Sun - 1 in 5 kids taken drugs (25.03.06)
An article on young children taking drugs, features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
News article about Lord Birt, the Prime Minister's "blue skies" adviser, privately recommending to ministers that heroin should be available on prescription to treat addicts. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Lead story in the Evening Standard about the Home Secretary's plan to review the drug classification systems. The article features a quote from Transform's submission to the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs.
The Guardian - Where there's smoke (16.12.05)
An article on the relations between cannabis and mental illness.
LifeStyleExtra - Government drug leaflets branded "bonkers" (23.11.05)
Article on an NHS leaflet informing heroin users on the safest ways to take heroin.
News article about David Cameron's call for a more liberal drugs policy. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
BBC News - How Labour's drugs battle changed (5.10.05)
An article on Tony Blair's crime reduction policy.
Article about the RSA commission that will be looking at why millions of pounds have been spend on trying to control the illegal drug trade has been so unsuccessful. The mentions Transform's 'After the War on Drugs: Options for Control' report and has several quotes from quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Article on the new magic mushroom laws.
Full page news article about Lord Birt's report after the full contents of the report were leaked to the paper. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Lead story in the Guardian about Lord Birt's report after the full contents of the report were leaked to the paper. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Another news article about Lord Birt's secret report, this time in the Daily Telegraph. Feature a quotes from Danny Kushlick.
Another news article about Lord Birt's secret report. Feature a quotes from Danny Kushlick.
News article about how the government tried to bury Lord Birt's secret report about the government's failed drugs policies by publishing just hours before the Live 8 concert was to begin. Feature a quotes from Danny Kushlick.
News article about a secret report prepared by the strategy unit at the Cabinet Office over seen by policy tsar Lord Birt which was highly critical about the success of the Government's drug strategy, and the likely success of drug prohibition in general. Feature a quote from Danny Kushlick calling for the report to be published in full.
Excellent full page article about why drug prohibition has failed. The article mentions Transform several times and features a long quote from Danny Kushlick.
News article about clause 21 of the Drugs Act 2005 which criminalised the possession and sale of magic mushrooms. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Article questioning the effectiveness of the government's treatment polices. Features a quote from Steve Rolles.
News article about the UN's criticism of the reclassification of cannabis to a Class C drug. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
News article about the the UN being forced to end its campaign to reduced Aids infection by providing clean needles to heroin addicts after the US threatened to end its funding. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Four page lead story about how Downing Street advisors and 76 per cent of the country believe the governments is losing the war on drugs through wrong tactics. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Comment article by Polly Toynbee arguing in favour of ending the war on drugs. The article mentions Transform's 'After the War on Drugs: Options for Control' report.
News article about the publication of Transform's 'After the War on Drugs: Options for Control' report.
News article about many police officers choosing to ignore new laws that downgrade the possession of cannabis. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Comment article by Johann Harri featuring a quote from Danny Kushlick.
News article about research that suggests that truants are more than five times as likely to take drugs than other schoolchildren. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Comment article by Johann Hari featuring a quote from Danny Kushlick.
News article about Lady Runciman's report on drugs produced for the Police Federation which called for reduced penalties for drug possession offences. Features a quote from Danny Kushlick.
Lengthy article about the failings of prohibition. Includes quotes from Danny Kushlick.
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