CEO @ForwardTrust @ActionAddiction. Former Deputy UK Drug Czar – knows a bit about drugs and prisons, UK politics, and the United Nations. Views are my own.
LONDON
Joined December 2023
- Tweets536
- Following529
- Followers230
- Likes439
MIKE TRACE retweeted
One conversation can change everything.
For Tamsin, it was a conversation with her mum.
After years of struggling with alcohol, Tamsin finally found the courage to say the words: "I can't stop drinking."
Her mum didn't have all the answers, but she listened without judgement, offered support, and helped Tamsin take the first steps towards recovery. That one conversation led to treatment, recovery meetings and, ultimately, a new beginning.
As Tamsin's story reminds us, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is listen. One conversation really can change everything.
Like Tamsin, your story could inspire someone else to start talking.
Share your story. Start a conversation. Change a life.
#LetsTalkAddiction
MIKE TRACE retweeted
I’m 19 years sober TODAY Can I get a retweet to show anyone struggling that long term recovery from addiction is possible? ❤️
MIKE TRACE retweeted
New @IOE_London research shows more private school scholarships and bursaries go to high-income families than lower-incomes ones
Could these schools distribute the discounts they offer in a more progressive fashion?
ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/may/thir…
Before running the @LondonMarathon
for @ForwardTrust tomorrow, @TonyAdams sat down with musician @mattjwillis for a chat.
youtube.com/watch?v=-U6pVvHi…
The Iran war will, like the last three economic shocks, lead to a transfer of wealth from governments to the richest individuals and corporations. Don't think that's right? Sign the petition now. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio… via @38degrees
As western governments agonise over how to introduce wealth taxes, Vladimir Putin has come up with a simple solution. theguardian.com/world/2026/m…
New @MoJGovUK research on the Holme House ‘recovery prison’ pilot makes sobering reading.
The pilot improved conditions, but didn't reduce reoffending. Maybe because they didn't understand how recovery works.
Full report in comments.
#PrisonReform #DrugPolicy #CriminalJustice
New @MoJGovUK research backs what practitioners already know: well-run Incentivised Substance Free Living units in prisons reduce violence, self-harm and drug harm, and support recovery.
It's time to expand these units across the prison estate.
#PrisonReform #DrugPolicy
New @ONS data shows something unexpected: illicit drug use in the UK has fallen sharply over the past 25 years – with reported use among 16-24-year-olds down around 50% since 2000.
At a time when use is rising globally, what’s driving this shift in the UK?
As Drug Czar in the early 2000s, it is tempting to take credit for this positive trend. But social trends probably playing a big part in these figures.
Proportion of young people using drugs halved this century - fall mainly occurred during the 2000s. Reminder from @ONS of some progress that doesn’t get much attention ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationa…
I’ve written a new piece for Drink & Drugs News: drug use in prisons is rising while treatment falls further behind. If we want safer prisons, drug treatment must be front and centre.
👉 Read it here: drinkanddrugsnews.com/not-ge…
I’ve written a short response in today’s @Telegraph to challenge some harmful misconceptions about addiction. Compassion matters - stigma doesn’t help anyone.
Read it here: telegraph.co.uk/gift/faac1b7…
#LetsTalkAddiction #AddictionAwarenessWeek #TakingActionOnAddiction
Huge thanks to everyone who has shared their stories as part of The Conversation That Changed Everything this week. And to @campbellclaret for highlighting the campaign on the @RestIsPolitics podcast.
Listen here (from 55 mins): open.spotify.com/episode/7so…
MIKE TRACE retweeted
I’m one of the lucky ones - a conversation changed my life from one of anguish and fear and isolation to joy, courage and connection. Addiction wants you dead. Please reach out❤️
@ForwardTrust
takingactiononaddiction.org.…
Our thanks to @channel5_tv / @5_News / @mrdanwalker for highlighting our Addiction Awareness Week campaign (23-30 Nov) on their primetime news show (24 Nov).
This powerful news feature highlighted our important work to help raise awareness of addiction - and to get the nation talking.
Special thanks to our Royal Patron (@KensingtonRoyal), along with personal stories by @TonyAdams and Nav Dhesi, and additional campaign insights provided by @ForwardTrust CEO @MikeTrace61.
Addiction thrives in silence.
Recovery begins with conversation.
The conversation starts here.
Support our campaign today! ⬇️
takingactiononaddiction.org.…
#LetsTalkAddiction
There's a new version of this post
Our new @IPSOS polling data shows how widespread addiction is in the UK – with more than half of adults having been affected. Yet stigma still stops too many from seeking help.
Addiction is a health issue, not a moral failing.
#LetsTalkAddiction #TakingActionOnAddiction
