Alex Stevens
@profalexstevens.bsky.social
Professor of Criminology, University of Sheffield. Trustee at Criminal Justice Alliance. Volunteer for Sheffield Jazz. Peak District walker. Drug policy geek.
Pinned
Reposted by Alex Stevens
EUROPE 🇵🇹: Portugal's Drug Policy - 25 Years of Decriminalization Success👇🏻
www.miragenews.com/portugals-dr...
www.miragenews.com/portugals-dr...
Portugal's Drug Policy: 25 Years of Decriminalization Success
Nearly 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2025. While that is a decline from the nearly 108,000 deaths recorded in 2022, these grim figures
www.miragenews.com
September 25, 2026 at 3:25 AM
EUROPE 🇵🇹: Portugal's Drug Policy - 25 Years of Decriminalization Success👇🏻
www.miragenews.com/portugals-dr...
www.miragenews.com/portugals-dr...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
JOB: Senior Lecturer in Criminology/Criminal Justice, Newcastle University jobs.ac.uk/job/DTB032/sen…#criminologygy
https://jobs.ac.uk/job/DTB032/sen…
September 25, 2026 at 5:09 AM
JOB: Senior Lecturer in Criminology/Criminal Justice, Newcastle University jobs.ac.uk/job/DTB032/sen…#criminologygy
The Guardian tells us that 'universities are a scam'. Times Higher finds that uni's are losing £3,000 per student. So who exactly is profiting from this scam?
September 19, 2026 at 8:05 AM
The Guardian tells us that 'universities are a scam'. Times Higher finds that uni's are losing £3,000 per student. So who exactly is profiting from this scam?
Reposted by Alex Stevens
The only thing we learn from this is that Adam Smith anticipated the BBC: the "disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful...is...the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Billionaire Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he has lost confidence in UK
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe tells the BBC he thinks the country is "on the slide" and calls for more investment in the North Sea.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 19, 2026 at 7:46 AM
The only thing we learn from this is that Adam Smith anticipated the BBC: the "disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful...is...the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Where are the people who were bleating about 'two tier policing' now?
Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
RNLI facility had been affected by attempts by activists to stop asylum seekers landing in boats from the Channel
A lifeboat station on the south coast of England near the spot where far-right activists tried to stop asylum seekers landing has been forced to temporarily close, it has emerged.
The station in Portsmouth shut after it and other sites run by the RNLI were targeted by people objecting to the lifeboat charity going to the aid of people trying to get to the UK on small boats. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Where are the people who were bleating about 'two tier policing' now?
Reposted by Alex Stevens
It is incredibly important that political violence does not succeed.
The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
Lifeboat station in Portsmouth forced to temporarily shut after far-right action
RNLI facility had been affected by attempts by activists to stop asylum seekers landing in boats from the Channel
A lifeboat station on the south coast of England near the spot where far-right activists tried to stop asylum seekers landing has been forced to temporarily close, it has emerged.
The station in Portsmouth shut after it and other sites run by the RNLI were targeted by people objecting to the lifeboat charity going to the aid of people trying to get to the UK on small boats. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:39 AM
It is incredibly important that political violence does not succeed.
The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
The far-right mob that shut down Portsmouth wanted this outcome. If the state wishes to avoid more of these actions, it needs to make sure this RNLI branch reopens *immediately*, or as close to that as humanly possible.
Listening to @uclhealthpublic.bsky.social's Dr Xand van Tullekan's comprehensive takedown of the fradulent wellness industry on Radio 4 #starttheweek. Save your money. Bin your supplements
September 14, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Listening to @uclhealthpublic.bsky.social's Dr Xand van Tullekan's comprehensive takedown of the fradulent wellness industry on Radio 4 #starttheweek. Save your money. Bin your supplements
Reposted by Alex Stevens
If you would like to add your voice to tens of thousands of people thanking RNLI volunteers for their work, 38 Degrees have organised this open letter to express public support (at a time when a hateful fringe have been intimidating & abusing RNLI volunteers)
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
An open letter in support of the volunteers and staff at the RNLI
This is a disgrace. Brave RNLI volunteers being called scum for risking their lives to save others at sea is just plain wrong. So I've signed an open letter of thanks for the RNLI letting them know th...
act.38degrees.org.uk
September 8, 2026 at 4:37 PM
If you would like to add your voice to tens of thousands of people thanking RNLI volunteers for their work, 38 Degrees have organised this open letter to express public support (at a time when a hateful fringe have been intimidating & abusing RNLI volunteers)
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
act.38degrees.org.uk/act/rnli-tha...
The word is 'breaking'. Not 'sidestepping'. Not 'circumventing'. Not 'avoiding'. Not 'getting around'. Breaking. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Cambridge University examines conduct of academic suspended by Reform UK
James Orr, an associate professor, was shown in Channel 4 News footage apparently trying to sidestep electoral law
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
The word is 'breaking'. Not 'sidestepping'. Not 'circumventing'. Not 'avoiding'. Not 'getting around'. Breaking. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
channel4news.substack.com
September 3, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Thinking about the UK gov report "National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems", Feb 2026.
The language is incredibly stark. And it's *national security*, not exactly from tree-huggers:
"Global ecosystem degradation & collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity... (high confidence)"
The language is incredibly stark. And it's *national security*, not exactly from tree-huggers:
"Global ecosystem degradation & collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity... (high confidence)"
National security assessment on global ecosystems (accessible version)
www.gov.uk
August 24, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Thinking about the UK gov report "National Security Assessment on Global Ecosystems", Feb 2026.
The language is incredibly stark. And it's *national security*, not exactly from tree-huggers:
"Global ecosystem degradation & collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity... (high confidence)"
The language is incredibly stark. And it's *national security*, not exactly from tree-huggers:
"Global ecosystem degradation & collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity... (high confidence)"
Good news. Now expand free travel to all trams (and expand tram networks). www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Disabled people in England to get 24-hour free bus travel – UK politics live
Burnham has announced a range of policies aimed at relieving pressure on financially squeezed households and businesses
www.theguardian.com
August 18, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Good news. Now expand free travel to all trams (and expand tram networks). www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Private Eye cover.
Red sky at night, Europe's alight!
Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
Red sky at night, Europe's alight!
Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
August 7, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Private Eye cover.
Red sky at night, Europe's alight!
Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
Red sky at night, Europe's alight!
Red sky in the morning, I wonder if it could possibly be global warming?
Reposted by Alex Stevens
New story on Reform's finances from @annaisaac.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Revealed: George Cottrell transferred $2m to his mother days before her donations to Reform UK
Exclusive: Sources say Fiona Cottrell told bankers the transfers, received 24-72 hours before her donations to Reform, came from her son
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2026 at 4:37 PM
New story on Reform's finances from @annaisaac.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
So depressingly predictable. Sentencing policy based on a major report, followed by months of parliamentary scrutiny and debate, gets overturned on its first contact with populist politics.
"His political antenna is tingling - he doesn’t want to get to September and it be dogged by paedophiles and rapists being released early."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack Burnham's pause on early prison releases.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack Burnham's pause on early prison releases.
July 24, 2026 at 5:34 AM
So depressingly predictable. Sentencing policy based on a major report, followed by months of parliamentary scrutiny and debate, gets overturned on its first contact with populist politics.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
🆕 Discordant Drug Checking Results and Risk Reduction Behaviours: Findings From the ChecKnow Study in France
Samuel Tobias, Julio Del Amo, Sophie Albert, Marion Aubert, Anissa Zerrari, Pierre Chappard, Lianping Ti, Perrine Roux
https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70216
SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Université
Samuel Tobias, Julio Del Amo, Sophie Albert, Marion Aubert, Anissa Zerrari, Pierre Chappard, Lianping Ti, Perrine Roux
https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70216
SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Université
July 23, 2026 at 4:08 AM
🆕 Discordant Drug Checking Results and Risk Reduction Behaviours: Findings From the ChecKnow Study in France
Samuel Tobias, Julio Del Amo, Sophie Albert, Marion Aubert, Anissa Zerrari, Pierre Chappard, Lianping Ti, Perrine Roux
https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70216
SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Université
Samuel Tobias, Julio Del Amo, Sophie Albert, Marion Aubert, Anissa Zerrari, Pierre Chappard, Lianping Ti, Perrine Roux
https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.70216
SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Université
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Belfast is ready to welcome our global harm reduction community. 💙
A city that has navigated conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, reform, and self-determination.
Join us at #HR27Belfast! 👉https://hr27.hri.global
A city that has navigated conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, reform, and self-determination.
Join us at #HR27Belfast! 👉https://hr27.hri.global
July 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Belfast is ready to welcome our global harm reduction community. 💙
A city that has navigated conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, reform, and self-determination.
Join us at #HR27Belfast! 👉https://hr27.hri.global
A city that has navigated conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, reform, and self-determination.
Join us at #HR27Belfast! 👉https://hr27.hri.global
Thank god for that!
July 19, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Thank god for that!
This proposal on university fees is so stupud that I'm guessing it came direct from Policy Exchange.
If an undergraduate program's graduates don't earn more than workers who never went to college, that program could be cut off from federal student loans. But is a degree just about making more money?
Under a new federal rule, colleges must leave grads better off or lose financial aid
If an undergraduate program's graduates don't earn more than workers who never went to college, that program could be cut off from federal student loans. But is a degree just about making more money?
n.pr
July 19, 2026 at 3:41 PM
This proposal on university fees is so stupud that I'm guessing it came direct from Policy Exchange.
BBC World Service this morning is covering the killing of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, with no family contact, and lack of due process.
July 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
BBC World Service this morning is covering the killing of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, with no family contact, and lack of due process.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
⚠️Have you listened to our latest podcast episode yet?
@profalexstevens.bsky.social and Dr. Bisi Akintoye join us to explore the different ways of policing drugs. What's effective? What's fair? Should drug use be decriminalised?
🎧Find out what our experts had to say - listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
@profalexstevens.bsky.social and Dr. Bisi Akintoye join us to explore the different ways of policing drugs. What's effective? What's fair? Should drug use be decriminalised?
🎧Find out what our experts had to say - listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
July 8, 2026 at 8:48 AM
⚠️Have you listened to our latest podcast episode yet?
@profalexstevens.bsky.social and Dr. Bisi Akintoye join us to explore the different ways of policing drugs. What's effective? What's fair? Should drug use be decriminalised?
🎧Find out what our experts had to say - listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
@profalexstevens.bsky.social and Dr. Bisi Akintoye join us to explore the different ways of policing drugs. What's effective? What's fair? Should drug use be decriminalised?
🎧Find out what our experts had to say - listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
Reposted by Alex Stevens
Remember that the tuition fee rise just about covers the simultaneous increase in employer national insurance contributions for universities, so cutting teaching grants on this basis means universities on life support being subject to a shake down and being expected to say thanks for the privilege.
The Department for Education has confirmed that universities will receive £50.9 million less in teaching grants next academic year. Bridget Phillipson, the education minister has defended the reduction in light of tuition fee rises.
https://ow.ly/6UWJ50ZkLlf
https://ow.ly/6UWJ50ZkLlf
July 6, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Remember that the tuition fee rise just about covers the simultaneous increase in employer national insurance contributions for universities, so cutting teaching grants on this basis means universities on life support being subject to a shake down and being expected to say thanks for the privilege.
Give him a break, he can't talk!
July 6, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Give him a break, he can't talk!
This is how the normalisation of self-exploiration in higher education works.
I don't actually think my campus is unique in this - I think this is the overall culture of overwork, undersupport, that you see in many unis where people are conned into thinking just because you like the work you do, or you are one of the "lucky" ones, you should sacrifice your health and family.
July 4, 2026 at 7:24 AM
This is how the normalisation of self-exploiration in higher education works.
Reposted by Alex Stevens
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing?
Dr. Bisi Akintoye and @profalexstevens.bsky.social talk stop and search, diversion and the impact of over-policing on community relations.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing?
Dr. Bisi Akintoye and @profalexstevens.bsky.social talk stop and search, diversion and the impact of over-policing on community relations.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
June 26, 2026 at 10:14 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing?
Dr. Bisi Akintoye and @profalexstevens.bsky.social talk stop and search, diversion and the impact of over-policing on community relations.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194
Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing?
Dr. Bisi Akintoye and @profalexstevens.bsky.social talk stop and search, diversion and the impact of over-policing on community relations.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/43a194