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Vocational rehab and social reintegration
Dr Julian Buchanan, Reader in Community Justice, Social Inclusion Research Unit, NEWI, Wrexham
Abstract
Intervention strategies for tackling problem drug use tend to be dominated by a focus upon the physical (e.g. detox, drug testing, substitute prescribing) and psychological (motivational interviewing, the cycle of change) aspects of dependence. In contrast this paper will promote the social dimension of drug dependence. It will critically explore the structural, cultural and personal difficulties recovering problem drug user’s face when trying to engage with mainstream society. In particular it will outline the challenges posed by social exclusion and discrimination.
Evidence suggests that for many problem drug user’s social exclusion was a difficulty prior to the onset of a drug problem. A drug centred lifestyle has added further layers of exclusion and exacerbated the situation. These layers of exclusion make vocational rehabilitation, social integration and participation within the wider community extremely difficult. This paper will illustrate how attitudes, policies and practices serve to reinforce isolation and create a ‘wall of exclusion’ that effectively prevents problem drug users from engaging with mainstream society.
An alternative conceptual framework that incorporates the social context of problem drug use will be detailed and discussed. This model ‘Steps to Integration’ will be further explored as a template to consider the policy and practice implications of helping recovering problem drug users achieve social integration.
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Biography
Julian Buchanan began work with Liverpool Social Services before joining the Probation Service. In the mid 1980s as a Drugs Worker on Merseyside he pioneered a ‘risk reduction’ approach, and was instrumental in establishing one of the largest multi-agency community drugs team in the UK. His research interests reflect this experience and include substance misuse; criminal justice, inequality and social reintegration. He has a particular interest in examining the connections between problematic drug use and long term poverty/social exclusion. He has published widely on this subject in various journals and contributed a number of book chapters. He recently co-edited ‘Effective Practice in Health & Social Care: A Partnership Approach’ published by Open University Press (2005). He is currently Deputy Editor of the Probation Journal, Series Editor of ICCJ Monographs, and a member of the BJCJ Editorial Board. He has previously worked at the University of Liverpool where he was programme leader for the Probation Studies course, and the University of Central Lancashire where he established a Masters Degree in Substance Misuse. Currently he is based at the NEWI, Wrexham as a Reader in Community Justice and core member of the Social Inclusion Research Unit. He can be contacted via email: buchananj@newi.ac.uk
Selected Publications:
1. Parrott L, Buchanan J and Williams D (2006 Forthcoming) Volunteers, Families and Children in Need: An Evaluation of Family Friends’ Child & Family Social Work, Blackwell Publishing
2. Buchanan J (2005) ‘Problem Drug Use in the 21st Century: A Social Model of Intervention’ in Social Work in Health and Mental Health: Issues, Developments and Actions, Heinonen T, & Metteri A (eds.), Canadian Scholars Press inc, Toronto
3. Buchanan J & Corby B (2005) ‘Drug Misuse and Safeguarding Children: A Multi agency Approach’, pp 163-179 in R Carnwell & J Buchanan Effective Practice in Health & Social Care: A Partnership Approach Open University Press, Maidenhead
4. Carnwell R & Buchanan J (2005) (Eds) ‘Effective Practice in Health & Social Care: A Partnership Approach’ Open University Press, Maidenhead
5. Buchanan J (2004) ‘Tackling Problem Drug Use: A New Conceptual Framework’, pp117-138, in Social Work in Mental in Health, Vol. 2 No 2/3, Haworth press
6. Buchanan J (Guest Ed) (2004) Probation Journal Special Issue: Rethinking Drugs & Crime Vol. 51 No.4, Sage Publications
7. Madoc-Jones, I. & Buchanan, J (2004) ‘Indigenous people, language and criminal justice: the experience of first language Welsh speakers in Wales’ in Criminal Justice Studies, Volume 17, Number 4 / December 2004 pp. 353-367
8. Buchanan J (2004) ‘Missing Links: Problem Drug Use and Social Exclusion’, Probation Journal Special Edition Rethinking Drugs & Crime, Vol. 51, No.4
9. Buchanan J, Collett S, & Singh Bhui H, (2003) (Series Editors) ‘Drugs Crime and the Drugs Treatment & Testing Order’, Fowler L, Issues in Criminal & Community Justice, Monograph Series, No.2, Napo, London
10. Madoc-Jones I & Buchanan J (2003) ‘Welsh Language, Identity & Probation Practice: The Context For Change’ in Probation Journal Special Edition on Diversity Vol
11. Buchanan J & Young L (2001) ‘Child Protection and Social Work Views’ in Issues in Motherhood and Substance Misuse, Klee at al (eds.), Routledge Press
12. Buchanan J & Young L (2000) ‘The War on Drugs – A War on Drug Users’ in Drugs: Education, Prevention Policy Vol. 7 No.4 2000 pp 409-422
13. Buchanan J & Millar M (2000) ‘Defining Good Social Work: Aspects of Social Control’ in Social Work Making a Difference Paylor I & Harris J (ed), Venture Press
14. Bates T, Buchanan J, Corby B & Young L (2000) Drug Use, Parenting & Child Protection UCLAN Business Services, Preston (83 pages) ISBN 1 90192215 4
15. Buchanan J & Young L (2000) ‘Problem Drug Use, Social Exclusion and Social Reintegration – the client speaks’ in G. Greenwood & K. Robertson (eds.) Understanding and responding to drug use: the role of qualitative research, pp155-161 EMCDDA, Lisbon, ISBN 92-9168-088-5
16. Buchanan J & Young L (2000) ‘Examining the Relationship Between Material Conditions, Long Term Problematic Drug Use and Social Exclusion: A New Strategy for Social Inclusion’ in J. Bradshaw, & R. Sainsbury (eds.) Experiencing Poverty pp.120-143 London, Ashgate Press, ISBN 0-7546-1288-0
17. Buchanan J & Young L (1998) ‘Failing to Grasp the Nettle: UK Drug Policy’ Probation Journal Vol. 45 No. 4, ISSN 0264-5505
18. Buchanan J & Young L (1998) The Impact of the Second Chance Structured Day Programme for Recovering Drug Users: A Student Perspective Liverpool, Social Partnership Transit, (102 pages) ISBN 0 9532787 0 0
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