I'm not much of a poster in the FFZ, as far as creating threads but I found this story intriguing, biased but am in no position to make a judgement. So I am presenting it to our cousins for their input. I find it difficult to take in as far as the source of the problem, in this case Margaret Thatcher. http://www.vbs.tv/newsroom/swansea-love-story-1-of-6--3 I also find it funny that they are using subtitles when the language is English.
The link is broken (redirects to WW2F.com). I forget the name of the people who produce it, but I was looking at their site a week or two ago. Some pretty interesting reporting on Afghanistan, North Korea, the Sudan, Mexico, etc too. I will warn you that the images they display are rather graphic, as are some of the topics the touch (like the Sudan conflict, showing people holding up human hearts, etc). Quite interesting and a very gritty view on life. They had a few close run-ins with the locals in places and all, and the Aghan one (short) is interesting since its with the Brits on patrol with some Afghans who come under fire. And almost get knocked out by friendly fire.
The actual reporting was interesting and they do get down to the nitty gritty. I just don't agree with the write up. Below is the write up. London, England (VBS.TV) -- As well as going to exotic places like Liberia, North Korea and Sudan, VBS also makes films in our London office's beloved United Kingdom. The latest one was made by myself and a young filmmaker called Leo Leigh. Leo's father is Mike Leigh, who's made films like "Naked," starring David Thewlis. In spring of last year we discovered that the small South Wales city of Swansea had recorded an 180 percent rise in registered heroin users. This happened in just four years, with young people making up the bulk of the increase. It used to be one of the biggest ports in the world, but when Margaret Thatcher helped bring about the end of heavy industry in Britain, the social implications for places like Swansea were dire. Funnily enough, it was Thatcher who signed off on a program that meant heroin addicts would be given access to free, sterile needles. This was after she'd closed down the mines, docks, and factories. Mass unemployment and heroin addiction have always made fine bedfellows.
I'm not going to pretend I know much about modern English Politics and History, but when you close down such industries then you do see a spike in drug use and what not, the towns get run down. Over here in the USA, when mines close etc, the towns turn into Ghost Towns (as the locals move out). In England, there is no where to move to. Anyways, i'll check it out, since it sounds like they've published it now?
Interesting reporting to say the least. I watched all six parts and I find myself thinking if I could ever be like them in the same conditions. Giving drugs and all of the paraphanalia accomplishes what? It may keep them from contracting disease but does it help in getting people off drugs? If Thatcher implemented that program and she is being blamed for the drug problem around Swansea, then why haven't the follow PMs not stop that program? Again, I'm an outsider and don't have the full political picture so difficult to answer. The last part was humorous and yet sad.
They have 'clean needle' programs all over. Providing them with clean needles help stops things like Hep C and Aids and what not, makes it safer for everyone who might be around them, and prevents hospitals having to take care of treatment for whatever disease they contract. Thatcher is blamed for destroying the economy of the town, by closing down the factories and docks etc, which lowers the standard of living as there are no jobs. Out of work, people get depressed, turn to drugs and alcohol, and when kids see their parents always doing Heroin, they follow in their footsteps, etc, which makes the problem worse. I don't know how anyone can live like that. The guy has trench-foot on both feet! I don't know how you let yourself get like that, even if you're on drugs all the time.
