Rethink in the news - highlights
Rethink gets lots of coverage locally, nationally and in trade press see below for current highlights
Links to national newspaper coverage
The Observer, Sunday 16 December
Child suicide bids rise to more than 4,000
Report on the rising number of suicide attempts by children in the UK in the last 5 years. Includes comments from Isla Dowds, Rethink's young persons programme manager. Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/dec/16/children.socialexclusion
Rethink's cannabis risks awareness campaign 2008 coverage
In February 2008 Rethink launched "Educating Reefer " the report based on our survey of public knowledge and perceptions of cannabis. Rethink also gave evidence to the Advisory Council of the Mis-use of Drugs.
A lot of coverge was generated around this report and Rethink's call to put mental health warnings on King Size rolling paper and a ban on all tobacco related products advertising.
Independent on Sunday, Sunday 3 February 2008
Blunkett says reversing his downgrading of cannabis to class C would 'send mixed signals'
Report on continuing debate over classification of cannabis in advance of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) starting to hear evidence on classification tomorrow. The article mentions Rethink’s cannabis campaign and our calls for mental health warnings on rolling papers. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/blunkett-goes-head-to-head-with-government-over-plans-to-raise-cannabis-to-class-b-status-777538.html
Glasgow Sunday Mail, Sunday 10th February 2008
Charity Demands Drug Warning On Cigarette Papers
Report on Rethink’s call for warnings about the dangers of cannabis to be printed on packets of cigarette papers. Including a response from a spokesperson for Imperial Tobacco, makers of ‘Rizla’ cigarette papers. http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/uk-and-international-news/2008/02/10/charity-demands-drug-warning-on-cigarette-papers-78057-20314038/
Channel 4 news online, Monday 11th February 2008
Call for 'papers' cannabis warning
Report on Rethink’s call for mental health warnings on the packets of rolling papers used to make cannabis joints. Link: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/call+for+papers+cannabis+warning/1520152
BBC news, Friday 8th February 2008
Call for roll-up cannabis warning
Report on Rethink’s call for mental health warnings on rolling paper packets, including a response from Imperial Tobacco, makers of the popular brand ‘Rizla’ Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7226058.stm
BBC radio 1 Newsbeat, Tuesday 5 February 2008
Radio One’s news bulletin included a story on the review of cannabis classification. Rethink’s Paul Corry is interviewed, communicating Rethink’s message that putting warnings on the packets of rolling papers sometimes used for making cannabis joints might help to educate cannabis users about the drug’s mental health risks. Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/newsid_7228000/7228430.stm
Nursing in Practice, Friday 15th February
Rethink urges government to ban all tobacco related product advertising. Link:
Medical News Today website, posted Thursday 14th February
Rethink urges government to ban all tobacco related product advertising, including rolling papers as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of cannabis to mental health. Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/97197.php
Craegmoor Healthcare News, Thursday 14th February 2008
Mental health charity calls for cannabis warning
Report on Rethink’s call for mental health warnings to be printed on the packets of cigarette rolling papers used to make cannabis joints. Link: http://www.craegmoor.co.uk/news/industry/18466330/mental_health_charity_calls_for_cannabis_warning.aspx
Charity Aid Foundation Website, posted Friday 15th February
Rethink urges government to ban all tobacco related product advertising. Link: http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=15154
Politics.co.uk ‘Most Read Press Releases’
Rethink’s cannabis press release – among the ‘Most Read’ on Politics.co.uk this week. Link: http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/main/
Sussex Express, Tuesday 12th February 2008
Drugs awareness for students
Report on a college hosting a drug awareness event with details of guest speakers. One of the speakers is Terry Hammond, who is described here as being ‘formerly of Rethink, a charity that supports young people with cannabis related problems’. Terry is a media volunteer and former employee, he has talked publicly about his son’s cannabis use prior to being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Link: http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/eastbourne-news/Drugs-awareness-for-students.3760609.jp
