Yes, Correct. B.

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: Addiction Course Convenors on behalf of Harry Shapiro 
	Sent: Tue 06/11/2007 15:46 
	To: [log in to unmask] 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: Query from a new member
	
	

	Hi
	
	Thanks for this. Do you mean 'The UK Drug Policy Commission'?
	
	Cheers
	Harry
	
	-----Original Message-----
	From: Addiction Course Convenors
	[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Betsy
	Thom
	Sent: 06 November 2007 14:56
	To: [log in to unmask]
	Subject: Re: Query from a new member
	
	
	Dear Harry,
	
	Just read this and I am in a hurry but my instant thoughts are: Please
	develop on these ideas. The history of drugs and drug policy is one
	which interests me - and I expect you know about the newish drugs policy
	group (can't remember the proper title). Susanne macgregor is a member
	and would certainly be interested. Also there is a policy/history group
	which is relevant and would weep if a good archival collection was
	destroyed.
	
	BUT, have recently had discussion s with Andrea from SALIS regarding the
	changing function of libraries and the possible loss of collections -
	including the need for historians and others to browse non electronic
	material as pre -selection etc. can not always forsee what will be
	useful in the future. Strong feelings around this among information
	scientists, as you probably agree. I tend to support the preservation of
	archives even if a bulk of material is made available electonically.
	Anyhow, unfortunately, I do need to hurry...
	
	Happy to give this more thought and help if you need it.
	
	Betsy
	
	        -----Original Message-----
	        From: Addiction Course Convenors on behalf of Harry Shapiro
	        Sent: Tue 06/11/2007 13:37
	        To: [log in to unmask]
	        Cc:
	        Subject: Query from a new member
	       
	       
	        Hi
	        
	        For those of you who dont know me, I am Harry Shapiro, Director
	of Communications and Information for DrugScope and ever present in the
	field since just before Mafeking was relieved. In my latest incarnation,
	I have taken over responsibility for much of DrugScope's day-to-day
	operations including the DrugScope library.
	        
	        There are strategic and financial issues for us at the moment as
	to the future of DS being able to house what is a substantial paper
	archive on site. I think it takes up in total about 500 metres of
	shelving. Options include forming a partnership with one academic
	institution to relocate the library en bloc - or (far less desirable and
	actually very tricky) to break it up according to subject areas
	(treatment, epidemiology, crime etc) and farm it out that way.
	        
	        However running alongside that is another thought - and the main
	reason for contacting you all. While the library is great to have, it is
	very much under-used and increasingly so in an age of online information
	gathering. And that raises the possibility of making chunks of the
	archive available online. This of course is costly and will probably
	throw up a hornet's nest of copyright issues - but these may both be
	surmountable if there is a coherent strategy for deciding what gets
	digitised. And it seems to make sense to focus on those materials of
	potentially most use to those doing academic and vocational courses
	around drugs including your students and those with a wider interest (eg
	sociology or criminology students).
	        
	        My finger in the air thought is that we might create a special
	online archive on the history of drugs and drug policy in the UK. And
	then with my other finger I thought that the 'virtual library' need not
	necessarily confine itself to items we hold - there may all sorts of
	good practice work, local area epidemiology and assessment reports
	('grey literature') that people would like access to.
	        
	        So I would be very grateful for any thoughts you have on this -
	happy to do this off list and also to come and visit.
	        
	        Many thanks
	       
	        Harry Shapiro
	        Director of Communications and Information
	        DrugScope
	        40 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UD
	        Direct line 020 7940 7510
	        [log in to unmask]
	        
	        
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