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January 6, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 12:38pm

Drug treatment magazine broadens its appeal

By Press Gazette

Sales story: Druglink goes on sale in new move to extend its reach

Druglink, the magazine for people with a professional interest in drug problems, has gone on general sale for the first time in its 30-year-history at an Islington bookshop in London.

Published by the charity Drugscope, the magazine provides the latest information and analyses on drug problems and responses to them.

Druglink was previously only available on subscription, but it went on full sale before Christmas at Borders in Islington, and may be extended to other stores in the bookshop chain.

Editor Harry Shapiro said the population of Islington was likely to include many people with a professional interest in drugs.

But, he added, the decision by Borders to stock the magazine was a reflection of how drugs had become an issue for the entire community.

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Shapiro said: “Druglink used to be very focused in on the minutiae of the professional drugs world, but it’s such a broad-based subject these days; it touches so many aspects of society.

“We’ve got more freelance writers now and it’s bringing a fresher approach.

“Our readers could be policemen, drugs or social workers, or just citizens and parents.”

The 30th anniversary edition, which is one of two currently on sale at Borders priced £5.25, covers topics such as the rise in popularity of cocaine, predictions for the future of drug use and the position of drugs in consumer culture.

Last month, the NSPCC announced that it was to team up with publishing house Redwood to produce a free parenting magazine to be distributed through WHSmith stores.

The magazine, to be titled Y our Family , will spread the NSPCC’s message while simultaneously competing with the consumer market.

But Shapiro said Drugscope was not attempting to put across its stance on the issue of drug abuse through Druglink.

He said: “We do want to promote the activities of Drugscope, but there are articles featured in Druglink that do not necessarily reflect Drugscope’s stance.

“There is a lot of information about drugs out there, but it is hard to know where to go for valid information and that’s what we provide.”

By Alyson Fixter

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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