From barriers to solutions: Revolving Doors addresses APPG on Drugs, Alcohol and Justice
On Tuesday Policy Manager Kelly and lived experience member Leigh addressed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Drugs, Alcohol and Justice. The event was attended by numerous Lords and Members of Parliament, as well as people from the justice and substance use sectors and those with a general interest in the topic.
In a well-received talk, Leigh and Kelly explained more about the work of Revolving Doors, and the crossover between substance use, mental ill-health and trauma.
The APPG was followed by the annual Lord Ramsbotham lecture, taken by Justice Minister Lord Timpson who responded to many of the points Leigh raised around drug and alcohol treatment in prison and the need for more specialist support.
Kelly said:
“It was a real pleasure to address the APPG and talk about how and why people get caught in cycles of crisis and crime, with trauma and poor mental health leading to problematic substance use. It was particularly pleasing that there was an acceptance that recovery is not linear. Lapses don’t need to be dealt with via punishment, but instead with understanding. Leigh really showed the power of lived experienced voices in spaces such as the APPG and his story clearly touched people.”
Leigh said:
“I was surprised at Lord Timpson’s knowledge of the prison system and some of the issues that are plaguing the justice system. [With] everything he mentioned, rather than looking at the barriers he seemed more about the possible solutions.
[Today made me realise] I’ve got to learn to take a compliment, you know what I mean? I seem to cringe – I could have somebody coming up to me ranting and raving but once people say nice things I’m not used to it so I struggle with it. But everyone was great afterwards and came and spoke to me and had nothing but nice things to say, so I really enjoyed it. And with every one of these events for me, it’s all growth and I’m loving it. So I really do appreciate it.”
