We are looking to create a charity with Monkey and every charity needs a patron. Turning Point, the national drink, drugs and mental health charity used to make great play of the fact that it had Lady Di as a patron. It fitted their image they thought. When we at Monkey first thought of getting a patron who would fit our image, only one name came to mind. Shaun Ryder. With his roots in the same soil as many of our readers and with the attitude and political incorrectness we at Monkey can identify with, he is our first choice. How could you not be drawn to a man who was once reported as saying "the only thing wrong with the rock’n’roll lifestyle is having to be in a band"? So here’s Shaun’s column from the Daily Sport (now there’s the ultimate in political incorrectness) this month in which he agrees to our request and gives us an outrageous plug. Big thanks and maximum respect to our patron Mr Shaun Ryder!

 

THE HAPPY MONKEYS

There’s so much shit on the streets these days in the way of information about drugs. And when you think about how many people take drugs or are addicted to them you have to understand that these people need the right information—whether it’s because they want to get off them or to stop them killing themselves because they don’t know what they’re doing.

But we’ve always found the Government line is Don’t do it they are bad. Don’t smoke a spliff it’ll kill you that sort of thing.

Well people do do it, and as we know the illegal drugs kill a lot less people than the legal ones alcohol and tobacco.

So when I was asked to put my name to a new publication about drugs in Manchester I wanted to make sure it was right. I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t full of biased opinion and that it was there to help people make an informed decision about whatever it was they wanted to do.

VIEWS

The magazine is called Monkey. And it’s written by users ex-users and doctors with the same controversial views on drugs as me.

It’s telling you the truth about what’s going on. The truth about how methadone is more dangerous than heroin. They are people whose vlews aren’t in line with what the Government wants you to think.

It’s good it’s funny and it tells you basically if drug-taking is the lifestyle you choose, how to keep yourself alive. At the moment it’s only available from places like needle exchanges, drug agencies, counsellors or drug teams. But they are looking for distributors to bring this information to the people who need it—bars youth clubs whatever. It’s independent there’s no advertising and it doesn’t preach. It’s a funny magazine and it gives you the facts.

Prisoners who can’t get hold of it can get three free issues by writing to: Monkey, PO Box 108, Stretford, M32 8FT, or you can check out the website
www.sid.u-net/monkey

This is a good magazine which provides support and informationfor users, ex-users and their families. This has been a public service announcement.

SOURCE: Daily Sport, Friday July 6