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“Cosmo” for drug users

BMJ 2002; 325 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7376.1368 (Published 07 December 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;325:1368
  1. Tony Sheldon, freelance journalist (Tonysheldon5@cs.com)
  1. Utrecht, Netherlands

    Dutch organisation denies glamorising addiction

    Roll out the clichés and puns, it's open season again on Dutch drug policy. “Pot shots” have been fired at “junkies' magazine,” there has been “outrage over drug chic women's glossy,” and anti-drugs campaigners are “infuriated.” The British media report that a “new magazine,” SisterMainline, produced by Amsterdam's Mainline Foundation, is considered a classic example ofdrug chic” publishing, a “transparent validation” of drug use, which stinks.”

    Mainline, which provides health information to hard drug users, stands guilty of presenting a relatively positive self-image of women users, struggling with their addiction, but able to take practical steps to improve their health and take pride in their appearance. Even worse, say critics,Mainline has done this within the format of a “glossy” women's magazine.

    Far from just saying “no,” Sister …

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