Ben Twomey talks to George Charlton about his journey from leaving school with no qualifications at 15, to grappling with mental health and addiction and then going on to train police forces and other partners that “drug users deserve love”. Emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in policing.

They explore the distinction between drug use and addiction, the significance of lived experience in shaping police approaches, and the critical role of naloxone in saving lives. The discussion highlights the need for a more humane and informed perspective on drug users within law enforcement.

Watch this in depth interview about lived experience and living experience, and how the people most affected by the criminal justice system have a part to play in shaping how policing works.

You can reach George at https://georgecharlton.com/ or on X at @GBMC73.

Takeaways

• Nice people take drugs, and they deserve compassion.
• Every drug problem is tied to a person’s story.
• Lived experiences can shape better policing practices.
• Drug use does not equate to addiction.
• Compassionate policing can change lives.
• Naloxone is essential for saving lives.
• Police need to connect with the community.
• Understanding trauma is key to addressing drug use.
• The media’s portrayal of drug users is harmful.
• Change in policing starts with education and empathy.

Sound Bites

• “Nice people take drugs.”
• “Every alcohol and drug problem is a person deserving of love.”
• “Nothing happens to me, everything happens for me.”

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Drug Law Reform and Policing
03:59 – George’s Journey: From Adversity to Advocacy
14:21 – Understanding Addiction vs. Drug Use
19:15 – Engaging with Current Drug Users
24:45 – The Importance of Naloxone in Policing

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