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DRUGS VICTIM-TURNED-EXPERT HELPS
TO REWRITE THE RULES

Oldham Chronicle
June 25, 2003


Barry Haslam

Tranquilliser campaigner Barry Haslam celebrated his 60th birthday today with news that he will help experts from Brussels to write new legislation about the drugs.

Mr Haslam, from Uppermill, has worked with Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, who lives in Greenfield, to get an amendment accepted by the European Commission.

It calls for better proposals to prevent and reduce risks of addiction to prescribed benzodiazepine drugs, and better treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

Today a Mr Haslam, who was addicted to Ativan for 10 years, said: "This is brilliant news. I hope to start work with the civil servant from Brussels as soon as possible.

"This gives me a lot of hope and is the first time there has been a positive breakthrough here."

The Commission says it is aware that addiction to pharmacological products is a large and complex problem.

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