He was one of the very first television gladiators, the yardstick of 'sports entertainment', Dan Clark is better known as Nitro to millions of people across the world and will forever be the true definition of a TV gladiator. In a new Netflix documentary, Muscles and Mayhem, Dan and his co-stars delve deep into the real world of American Gladiators and provide an unprecedented insight into the television phenomenon. Having watched the documentary series, we were intrigued to know more... Dan...

Please meet Wes Cunliffe - he has the most incredible story... As a teenager Wes was on the frontlines of county lines dealing. He's been stabbed multiple times, had literal run-ins with the law, and has experienced the harsh realities of a life fraught with struggle; Wes' life was one of survival. He is now flourishing on the rugby pitch, as well as being one of the most respected youth mentors around. Wes dedicates his time to making sure young people don't take the route that he did, and...

How much do you know about the infamous site Silk Road and its creator Ross Ulbricht, also known as Dread Pirate Roberts? We speak to Lynn Ulbricht, the mother of Ross... Ross was a pioneer of the deep web and bitcoin. He created a new market place which ended up as a vending system for an array of things, including drugs. Ross was the mastermind behind the website but didn't actually partake in vending himself. Ross now serves a double life prison term and many people feel this is an...

This is an epic episode with some of the all-time great voices from international drug policy. Recorded live at the Cranstoun conference in Brighton in February 2023, the guests were all briefed to go beyond the usual scripts and be as honest as they could be... and they did not disappoint. This conversation was one of the most open that you're ever likely to hear. Featuring: Alex Stevens, Professor in Criminal Justice at the University of Kent Niamh Eastwood, Executive Director,...

On today's Stop and Search we're joined by Matt Hutchinson. He's a doctor specialising in Rheumatology and General Medicine, and also a comedian - what a combo! We have a very open and wide-ranging conversation about drug policy, medicine, addiction, the prescribing of pain medication, comedy, and so much more. We really do cover some bases in this chat. Matt is also performing at the Edinburgh Festival, so if you would like to see him in action then go to Assembly George Square Studios on...

In this breaking news, emergency broadcast, special podcast, we'll be discussing the bold new moves by the Scottish government to reform their drug policies. We speak to retired Police Inspector Ian Andrew, and former Detective and author of The Ten Percent, Simon McLean - both of whom are LEAP UK and LEAP Scotland members. Both Ian and Simon have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help these new proposals come about. So, what are we talking about here? Well, a new report recommends that...

Louise Marwood is an actress and comedian - you may recognise her from the British soap opera Emmerdale. In recent weeks Louise has bravely spoken out via the media about her own struggles with addiction, using her platform to help build the discussion around addiction and stigma... but Louise is now embarking on a new project! With her background in the arts and comedy, Louise will be putting on a one woman show titled: Rita Lynn: The Life Coach Who Wanted to Die - part autobiographical,...

A journalist, newspaper editor, radio presenter, author, Stig Abell has just about done it all in the world of media and journalism. In his book, How Britain Really Works, Stig writes about the many institutions of the UK and how policy making is not always what it's cut out to be. Having done a lot of work in prisons and the justice system, Stig has seen firsthand how we may want to make some changes to the way we currently work. Stig currently co-presents the Monday to Thursday breakfast...

Having served as the chief judge of the Newark Municipal Court, Judge Victoria Pratt is also professor at the Rutgers Newark School of Criminal Justice. Judge Pratt has a written a book called The Power of Dignity: Transforming Criminal Justice which delves into her work in and out of the courtroom. Having looked for alternatives to the criminal justice system for many years, Judge Pratt is an advocate of community solutions and going deeper than your average courtroom. Her TED talk, "How...

Shelby Hartman is the co-founder and CEO of the innovative publication Double Blind Magazine. Having written for numerous publications such as Vice, Huffington Post, Rolling Stone, Shelby and her partner Madison are now shaping how we view the emerging and exciting world of psychedelics via Double Blind Magazine. In this episode we talk about a the need for quality drug journalism, how the UK can learn from the US with the emerging psychedelic treatments around PTSD and trauma, what can the...

Let's chat with TV presenter, broadcaster, and podcast legend, Tim Lovejoy. Tim has had an interesting journey with drug policy... like many, Tim believed in our drug laws, he had no need to investigate further. But after hosting a number of people on his own podcast, The Lovejoy Hour, such as Peter Bleksley, Neil Woods, Johann Hari, and our own Stop and Search host Jason Reed, Tim has had a complete transformation in his thinking and is now a big advocate from drug policy reform - he does...

He's a mental health advocate, author, criminal justice reform advocate, chart-topping podcaster, and of course the director of communications under Tony Blair's term as Prime Minister - Alastair Campbell barely needs an introduction. In this episode we go further with Alastair than he's ever gone before in giving his thoughts on failed drug policy and how the 'war on drugs' has caused harm across society. With Alastair's own personal tales of addiction, alongside his advocacy for mental...

What is it really like being a county lines drug dealer? Danielle Marin was at the forefront of the drug distribution evolution and became a drug dealer at an early age. The book Top Girl is a must-read! Danielle witnessed some of the very worst aspects of society and yet she has one of the calmest and most sensible demeanours imaginable. On this episode Danielle tells us in her own words what led her to become a dealer, what the life was like, and yes, she discusses some of the worst aspects...

Richard Mylan is an actor from film, stage and television, as well as a theatre producer, director and a drama teacher. His career has been diverse and littered with big roles such as Waterloo Road. But recently Richard has devoted more of his time to speak about his personal journey with addiction in hopes that he can raise awareness for other people who may be struggling, and to wipe away the stigma that can often come with addiction. In this special episode we have a very intimate...

We talk to Stanley Nelson, director of the new Netflix documentary Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy. What really happened in the 80s and the crack epidemic? Taking an in-depth look at the societal costs, how communities reacted, and how the media played their part, this eye-opening documentary is described as “a puzzle” by Stanley who tried to piece together the many overlaps of the crack picture. From the media term of ‘crack babies’, to addiction, poverty, the militarization of...

Dr Carl Hart has almost become a legendary figure in the world of academia and the media, he’s a professor of neuroscience and psychology at Columbia University and known for his work in drugs and addiction. His first book High Price: A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society was very well received and challenged many misconceptions around society’s perception of drugs and culture, and his new book is set to go even...

Norman Pilcher has gone down in history as the muse behind the song I Am the Walrus by The Beatles. When serving in the newly formed drugs squad, Norman arrested John Lennon, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, and many other iconic figures from the 60s. He was one of the first and most infamous foot soldiers in the newly formed 'war on drugs' which began in the late 60s, but what does Norman now think as he looks back over his astounding career in the police service? His...

The new film County Lines is set for release on December 4th, it is a comprehensive dramatisation of what goes on in the county lines drug chain, but the film is also about so much more... Henry Blake is the writer and director of this new film but his background is in youth work - Henry conveys why he was compelled to make this film. We talk about what Henry saw in his work, how the film is a big snapshot on his time spent working with the vulnerable, and why the county lines drugs network...

How much do you know about Covert Human Intelligence Sources, CHIS? Well, we’re talking about spies, but with a difference. We’re going to meet ‘Sam’.  Sam was involved in drug dealing and walked in criminal circles from a young age. He was recruited by the police to become an informant. Sam gives us an unprecedented insight into what takes place when the police use the information provided by those in the midst of criminal activities, and crucially what happens when the police use...

Leroy Logan MBE climbed the police ranks to become a Superintendent and along the way he encountered institutional racism, abuse, and erroneous accusations and investigations. Leroy has released a new book titled Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop... so how did he get into the police service? Well, that in itself is a fascinating story. Leroy's life is set to be dramatised by director Steve McQueen and the role of Leroy will be played by John Boyega, so make sure you look out for that! In...

With over 25 years of experience in criminal law, Chris Daw QC is a barrister who's seen it all. Murder, heists, the apex of international financial crime, and of course drug barons. He's defended many, many people. What drove him to seek answers? What alternatives did he find? And why should we abolish the prison system as we know it... and reform our drug laws? In his new book, Justice on Trial: Radical Solutions for a System at Breaking Point, Chris decided to tour the globe, looking for...

Donick Cary has had an incredible career. He's been a writer and producer on legendary shows such as The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, New Girl, and many more. During his career he's met and spoken with many public figures about their personal journeys with psychedelics, so... he decided to turn this into a film! On Netflix you can watch the feature documentary Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics. See huge stars such as Sting, the late and great Carrie Fisher, Sarah Silverman,...

Ash Sarkar is the Senior Editor at Novara Media and also teaches at the Sandberg Institute. Ash is a regular commentator on Newsnight, BBC Question Time and most news sites. In this very enlightening conversation Ash joins us to talk about the divisive nature of our drug laws and the impact on society - especially when it comes to BAME communities. You can follow Ash on twitter. This episode was recorded in late 2019, but the themes of the conversation could not be more relevant... Let's...

What's it like to literally talk someone down from a ledge? How do you cope with being a witness to the most extreme examples of domestic violence, terrorism, and murder? John Sutherland explains... Having served on the frontlines of policing, from PC level, all the way to Chief Superintendent, John has seen the best and worst of society. He's been a negotiator, charged with communicating with the most venerable and the most violent in society. He's been the first on the scene when terror...