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It’s not going to be the end of the world if you deal with it as a healthcare issue. The healthcare system is able to provide answers much more quickly and much more direct to the point of the problem.
Portugal decriminalised the use of illegal drugs in 2001, a move which experts say has led to a ”spectacular” reduction in the number of infections among intravenous users and a significant drop in drug-related crimes.
The country did not legalise drug use, but compelled people caught with banned substances to appear in front of special addiction panels rather than in a criminal court.
Dr Nuno Capaz, Vice-President of the Lisbon Drug Addiction Dissuasion Commission, is in Dublin to lend his support to a new report backing the decriminalisation of people who use drugs in Ireland.
The report, by the Ana Liffey Drugs Project, backs the findings of an Oireachtas committee which recommended a civil response rather than a criminal justice response to drug offences.
Dr Capaz argues that Portugal has not ended the war on drugs, but that it has ended the war on people who use drugs.
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Funny how it’s a Deloitte report. A company and industry that has a history of putting young graduates under enormous pressure for little pay and long hours.
That’s what consulting is… And the pay is anything but low. It’s one of the best starting salaries for graduates. The base is average but most double that or more with overtime.
Someone I know recently left public service management for consulting because they hit the public pay ceiling and it didn’t meet their lifestyle aspirations. We all warned them over and over what they were getting into and that the pay wasn’t for nothing… A few months later burned out. The nice house and garden they wanted to raise their kids but no time to do it.
I worked for one of these firms. Not in consulting but I know for a fact overtime was not paid but was taken as time off in lieu. Trying to actually take that time off was a serious effort. Also overtime had to be approved by management and rarely was. You’d still have to stay til 9pm to finish a report though.
Reminded of mindfulness in the latest Simpsons last week: “Welcome to computer coding class, which, uh, replaces our last fad– mindfulness. Did anyone ever figure out what that was?”
Ah, Mindfulness. Prozac for the soul, I’d say? Still, nothing wrong with that if it works for you. My only concern is that Mindfulness, which is essentially using Buddhist meditation techniques in ordinary everyday situations is now becoming something of a commercial industry?
Reminds me of when Tony Quinn offered courses in ‘Educo Mind Power’ or something like that, in the Bahamas at reasonably extortionate rates!
I was being mindful there a few minutes ago, I was really focused on my feet and how connected I was to the earth and wider world. I came to the realisation that, even though it’s a cold Wednesday in January, I’m actually ok, I feel ok, I can control my own destiny and feelings, it made me feel so much more content in myself, I was only interrupted when it was my turn to sign, but I’ll definitely being doing more later on.
Joanne O’Malley works for Mindfulness at Work who offer training courses for businesses.
Enough said, someone peddling happy clappy
It’s like a new religion now
A lot of people are suffering silently at work, afraid to admit soaring levels of ‘overwhelm’ and ‘anxiety’. Many businesses want to help their employees function more optimally but do not know where to start. Mindfulness is a practical solution which teaches people to train their attention so that they are more skilled (calm, resilient, positive) at managing themselves and the demanding context creating a workplace where people and businesses thrive.
What businesses said no when you asked if they would like to help their employees function more optimally, as a matter of interest?
No pay rise this year plebs…instead you get an adult colouring book and a visit from a z list celeb speaker telling us how we can all look at the stars even though we’re in the gutter etc.
Using mindfulness to help your business is evil, pure and simple.
“Treat everyone with respect, gratitude, trust, compassion and integrity.”
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