One too quickly assumes that drug addicts are some unemployable working-class youths both black and white, dysfunctional and without social skills.
We learnt recently that this is just a prejudice. It finally dawned on me that the users are not just the “local” trouble makers but also Armani suits, city professionals, many of them practicing solicitors and barristers. It is a common knowledge at the Bar that there is ripped drug consumption.
This is why they were up in arm to Shaun Bailey’s proposal of drug testing. It became clear that Armani suits do not want drug testing as it interferes with their delusional world and drug fuelled performance. The rest of us, normal reasonable standards individuals are not really bothered. Indirectly our world will be safer. Directly I will finally be free…the summer of 2022. (The time stop was moved two years on)
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I have accessed NHS live in the past (http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/addiction/Pages/addictionwhatisit.aspx) which states: “If you have an addiction, you’re not alone. According to the charity Action on Addiction, one in three of us are addicted to something. Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol and nicotine, but it’s possible to be addicted to just about anything, including: work, internet, solvents or shopping”
They argue “Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a “come down”. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues.
Some studies suggest addiction is genetic, but environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, are also thought to increase the risk.
An addiction can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure.”
Alcohol was considered as a mental health condition by the Social Security Tribunal since 2006/7. There is the Upper Tribunal case ref CE/437/2011 averring “’As Upper Tribunal Judge Jacobs pointed out in CIB/1296/2007 (sitting as a Social Security Commissioner) alcohol dependence is a mental condition (as decided by a Tribunal of Commissioners in relation to DLA in R(DLA) 6/06). The same must apply to drug dependence, and if it is correct in relation to incapacity benefit it is also correct in relation to ESA’ (paragraph 11)
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“Both regulations 19(5) and 29(2)(b) of the [ESA] Regulations require that the claimant must suffer from a specific disease or bodily or mental disablement. Having made a finding of fact that the claimant was using drugs, the First-tier Tribunal should have considered and determined whether the claimant’s drug use amounted to drug dependency and constituted a mental disease or disablement.
Judge Knowles referred to JG v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2013] UKUT 37 (AAC), a decision by a Three-Judge Panel, which relied on the factors listed in the category of Substance Dependence contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM IV) and found that alcohol dependency fell within the phrase ‘specific disease or bodily or mental disablement’. While JG concerned a claimant with alcohol dependence, Judge Knowles found that the constellation of markers were equally applicable to drug dependence.
However, Judge Knowles noted that DSM IV had been superseded by DSM-5 with effect from 18 May 2013. DSM-5 divided substance related/addictive disorders into two groups -substance use disorders and substance induced disorders. It also addressed specific substances separately. Listing 11 diagnostic criteria for opioid use disorder, DSM-5 advised that severity is specified as follows –
-mild substance use disorder is the presence of 2-3 of the above symptoms;
-moderate is the presence of 4-5 symptoms; and
-severe is the presence of six or more symptoms.
Whilst the tribunal followed the accreditation I could see that in reality we should classify the addicts in three groups. It is already done in mental health assessment of depression so why could it not be applied here as well
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Having read the Telegraph article: Julie Burchill: You cannot use drugs and avoid doing harm, I noted the following. She no longer takes drugs and therefore feel free to speak out. She was able to stop taking it and one assumed she was in a “mild group”. Either that or her overall mental health improved.
Just like it is often the problem with the mental health one finds it difficult to accept there is an issue.
It was a psychiatric during the talk organized by the Nigeria Brittan Law forum who produced a chart where one can assess based on the live events how stressed you are and is it alarming needing an action. Loss of a loved one carries the highest score and getting married is quite at the top as well. I discussed it with a group of walkers in 2019 in support of the London Legal Walk and they agreed that getting married itself is stressful.
One of my Facebook friends, British man, beamed how he got married to Argentinian woman at the time of Falklands war and happily reported that both sides behaved in a civilized manner. This clearly illustrates why getting married can be stressful.
The addicts and dealers alike pose danger to the society and to the victims. Having read horror how a dealer murdered another so that he could still his clients published in Standards online, 26/8/2020 recently it is right that Shan Bailey and others highlighted danger of drugs as behind the trafficking, country lines and gangs there are broken families, poverty fuelled by the drug addiction and well funerals
Every each and one of these addicts is like a Frankenstein in action. Possessed by drugs’ craving they become unstoppable in their demand for drugs and will stop at nothing to feed their sick cravings
Charity such as MIND believe that there is no such thing as an addiction. It is a mental health issue. There are 5 NHS specialist units in England for the worst affected but are crying for funding.
I fear that the society still think that the drug addiction is not an illness and like to turn the blind eye to the harm they cause to the victims. The reasons may be several: fear of re-praisal by the dealers who see drug trafficking a “business”, but also people don’t tent to get involved if does not concerns them directly.
It is good that we started to talk about the Armani suits drug addiction for these reasons.
We need to look at the social backgrounds of these individuals. They are brought up thinking they can do no wrong. This was deeply imprinted in their behaviour so they mistakenly believe they can do no wrong but at the same time they cannot deal with the reality.
They are educated so they think they should run the world hence they support socialist Labour who would do anything for votes.
They do not support Conservatives as the party values entrepreneurship whilst the leftist believe they can do anything they want. Wrong because whilst most people could pass a degree not many people can set up and build a successful, multi-million company as it takes natural skills.
There is a skill of passing exams. It would not assist you to suddenly gain entrepreneur skills.
I spent the last ten years fighting for my personal freedom and right to family and personal life and communication. Even the arrest of 746 did not bring freedom and safe guarded Art 8
From day one I asked to stop hacking and unlawfully forwarding my personal emails. A barrister at the city law school city said it was legal. It was not. They breached of Article 8 and RIPA 2000. I was powerless and yes afraid of the mob.
In Croatia there is a say that the suit does not make up a man, loosely translated. It is not the suits that matter but your actions.
Ms Law I strongly believe the drugs should not be legalized. No thank you I do not want a little smoke or any other smoke. Speak for yourself. I’d rather have a time with my beloved cats and a cuppa on a comfy couch, with bacon and vegie pasta dinner made by me
Apart from the sociofantasy and irresponsible upbringing they are also obsessed to be popular funny and happy. They need a kick when out with “friends”
Such life style may be a problem in itself.
Meeting new people, you always feel a tiny bit of anxiety so why do it as a life style.
It is company of friend and family that loves you, can give you a good time. Not strangers.
If you are going out mingling with total strangers who talk about the wild life trophy hunting, it is fore sable that you would need another kind of kick to look ecstatic and happy!
I have family and friends. I want to enjoy my life spending with them and not some socifantasist substance misusers whatever they wear.
In the 21st century having to fight for the Article 8 is a tarnish on the legal profession and the rule of law.
I do not think that the proposed charter alone will change the behaviour of the Armani suits.
Using a substance that makes their eyes ablaze it is not unforeseeable that the damage it does to their brain and body.
There is a culture of long hours and cut-throat competition that is supported by drugs. These individuals refuse to talk about mental health in fear of their status
For them it is a stigma to be seen as “weak” and calling a physician, but It became acceptable to call a dealer, and take the substance on the quite side. For them a Work life balance is for elderly with a one foot in the grave
Shaun’s actions and intentions are step in the right direction but dealing with the underlying issue why they are taking drugs is important too.
Vesna Cvetek
1 September 2020 (1st draft)
18 April 2022 (Amended)
Green Queen 