National Paper in the UK is now interested in the benzo scandal

[[lo...]]

The Daily Mail has now interviewed Prof Malcolm Lader and at least one benzo sufferer.  I will post the article when it comes out.

 

Today two of the Scottish campaigners are meeting with the Minister of Health in Scotland.  The primary focus will be antidepressants but I am sure the recent BMA statement will be discussed.  The timing is very good for us in Scotland. 

 

Will let you know as soon as I hear what the outcome is.

 

Fiona 

[[Te...]]

Thanks for this, Fiona!!! That's excellent news. I am so thrilled that the UK is doing something about this issue, finally, and there are increasing articles on it!!!  :thumbsup:

[[La...]]

Fantastic news, Fiona! Thanks so much for keeping us updated.

[[lo...]]

The meeting at the Scottish Parliament was curtailed by the Health Minister etc turning up late among other things.  My fellow campaigner only had time to present her own case (she is severely disabled due to A/D withdrawal) and the Health Minister said she would give it due consideration.  I do hope she does.  There wasn't any time to discuss anything else.

 

Fiona 

 

 

[[...]]

It's excellent news about The Daily Mail. All of the recent publicity should help our cause. I have to say though that I'm a bit disappointed that the Shona Robison meeting was brief. All that effort by so many people. Will she read any of the letters that people prepared? The momentum has been very positive of late but perhaps I shouldn't expect too much from this.  pris

[[lo...]]

Hi pris

 

It is disappointing that the meeting was cut short.  Our fellow campaigners left her with plenty of material (research papers) as well as access to the FB page with so many personal stories.  I do hope it will be read by staff at the Parliament.  Surely the issue of PDD must be going up their agenda in the light of the BMA announcement. 

 

Fiona 

[[...]]

I've got all my fingers and all my toes crossed!!!   

[[lo...]]

Hi pris

 

I have just written to the Health Minister of Scotland and copied to the Minister for Mental Health.  The focus of the meeting today was A/Ds.  So I have reminded Ms Robison of the issue of benzodiazepines and cited the BMA statement, the Shane Kenny video and Radio 5 Live programmes.  No harm in reminding her I am still here!!!!!

 

And my cognition is improving again.

 

Fiona  :thumbsup:

[[La...]]

Go Scotland! Go Fiona! We've got our fingers (and other bits) crossed on this side of the pond too. (Och aye!)

[[lo...]]

:D :D

[[be...]]

Great news Fiona!  

 

[[Te...]]

Oh, it's so great that you reminded Ms. Robison of the importance of benzos!! You keep everyone on their toes and honest!!  :thumbsup:

 

Wonderful news that your cognition is improving also!!!  :thumbsup:

 

[[Bu...]]

Thank-you for all that you do Fiona!  You are simply amazing 

[[lo...]]

One of my contacts has seen the forthcoming article to be published in the Daily Mail.  She is pleased with the content.  It will be published on Tuesday.  I hope it will be available online in its entirety and not just in the hard copy.

 

The journalist has spoken to Prof Malcolm Lader, Prof Heather Ashton, Luke Montagu of CEPUK, Barry Haslam and one or two others.

 

Fiona 

[[La...]]

Once again, great news! I'm so pleased to hear about all the people that were interviewed -- especially Dr. Ashton. I wasn't sure if she was up to doing such things. She's in her mid-80s, right? What about Dr. Lader?

[[lo...]]

Prof Ashton isn't in good health.  She was in hospital not that long ago.  And yes she is in her mid-80s.  She first graduated from Uni in 1951.  That was before I was born!!!!  Prof Lader must be a good age.  He warned of the dangers of benzos in 1978!!!  That is almost 40 years ago.  He must be 70 at least if he was a qualified doctor at that time.

 

Fiona 

[[La...]]

The interviews in the Shane Kenny documentary were clearly filmed awhile ago. I'm so glad we could see those two professors when they were up to it. And kudos to Dr. Ashton for responding to the media despite her failing health. She's something special, isn't she?

[[lo...]]

She sure is.  :thumbsup:

 

She must be pleased to see the BMA announcement after all these years. 

[[be...]]

She sure is.  :thumbsup:

 

She must be pleased to see the BMA announcement after all these years.

 

I was thinking this too, she and Dr. Lader must be so pleased after so many years...decades.  He had just finished saying in the documentary, "Sometimes it feels good to stop beating your head against the wall."

[[La...]]

People who stand up for what's right and who go against the tide because they know it's the right thing to do are in short supply. Having seen the documentary and heard both of them speak, I'm even more impressed. They knew what was happening was wrong. They did their best to speak up, to write about it and to help those affected. I have great respect for such people.

 

And yes, I really hope both of them can feel some satisfaction that things appear to be changing -- finally.

[[be...]]

Yup, agreed.  And yes, things finally do seem to be changing. 

[[Te...]]

One of my contacts has seen the forthcoming article to be published in the Daily Mail.  She is pleased with the content.  It will be published on Tuesday.  I hope it will be available online in its entirety and not just in the hard copy.

 

The journalist has spoken to Prof Malcolm Lader, Prof Heather Ashton, Luke Montagu of CEPUK, Barry Haslam and one or two others.

 

Oh, I am thrilled beyond words that this is FINALLY happening, Fiona!!!

 

Thank you for all your hard work in writing and keeping us updated!!!  :thumbsup:

[[lo...]]

The Daily Mail has now interviewed Prof Malcolm Lader and at least one benzo sufferer.  I will post the article when it comes out.

 

Fiona 

 

I am very disappointed today.  The Daily Mail Editor has pulled the article and decided not to publish.  I don't know exactly why or whether it is to be published in the future.  I have written to the paper but I doubt my email will reach the relevant Editor.

 

I don't know if it would have made any difference to the decision-making that now has to be done at the Department of Health in London.  I don't suppose it would but still very disappointed.

 

Fiona 

[[Te...]]

Oh, this is not good news! I am angry that it seems as if the benzo issue is being conveniently shoved under the rug again. 

[[lo...]]

It is very disappointing, Terry but the Editor decided to cut down the size of the health supplement today.  I don't think there is anything sinister in his decision.  Same with the Radio programme.  I think the issue of strip searches took up the bulk of the programme and there wasn't time to do any more about benzos.  It is just the way it goes with the media.  Too many issues to cover, not enough air time, or newspaper space.  I was very annoyed last night when I heard on BBC News that special rooms are to be set up in Glasgow (Scotland) so that heroin addicts can inject safely.  Now, I have nothing against illegal drug addicts and I know they need support etc but it did annoy me that money can be found for that but not for those dependent on prescription drugs.

 

But the campaign will continue here in the UK.  There are a lot of pretty determined people. 

 

Thanks for all your support and interest.

 

Fiona