Written by
Anne Babb
How to Prevent Addiction Most Effectively
27 February 2014 – I have been working in the field of addiction related services for 16 years. Throughout this period, I have had to analyse my own attitudes towards what is right or wrong. Let me explain the challenge I face. In my first job, I provided support to drug addicted people who were in the process of moving from homelessness to supported housing. Heroin, Cocaine, Cannabis, etc. are illegal drugs and the way the users fund their habit was mostly illegal (prostitution, thieving, begging…). On top of this they used many other substances including alcohol and prescribed medicine. With my values, I was asking myself why all these illegal things… Read more
Written by
Anne Babb
The Human and Social Cost of Alcohol Abuse in the EU
28 January 2014 – The International Blue Cross works in 43 countries world-wide. This brings me the challenge of paying attention to regional needs. During 2013, we focused on producing tools and manuals for our African Blue Cross organisations so that they can work on the important issue of alcohol policy development, provide quality self-help services, and start effective life-skills programmes for young people. This year, we will continue working on these themes. However, I want to stop for a moment to discuss the situation in Europe. Europe has 17 Blue Cross organisations. Most of them provide a variety of professional treatment, counselling, and… Read more