Alex Stevens – författare

Drugs, Crime and Public Health provides an accessible but critical discussion of recent policy on illicit drugs. Using a comparative approach - centred on the UK, but with insights and complementary data gathered from the USA and other countries - it discusses theoretical perspectives and provides new empirical evidence which challenges prevalent ways of thinking about illicit drugs. It argues that problematic drug use can only be understood in the social context in which it takes place, a context which it shares with other problems of crime and public health. The book demonstrates the social and spatial overlap of these problems, examining the focus of contemporary drug policy on crime reduction. This focus, Alex Stevens contends, has made it less, rather than more, likely that long-term solutions will be produced for drugs, crime and health inequalities. And he concludes, through examining competing visions for the future of drug policy, with an argument for social solutions to these social problems.

Drugs, Crime and Public Health provides an accessible but critical discussion of recent policy on illicit drugs. Using a comparative approach – centred on the UK, but with insights and complementary data gathered from the USA and other countries – it discusses theoretical perspectives and provides new empirical evidence which challenges prevalent ways of thinking about illicit drugs. It argues that problematic drug use can only be understood in the social context in which it takes place, a context which it shares with other problems of crime and public health. The book demonstrates the social and spatial overlap of these problems, examining the focus of contemporary drug policy on crime reduction. This focus, contends Alex Stevens, has made it less, rather than more, likely that long-term solutions will be produced for drugs, crime and health inequalities. Stevens concludes, through examining competing visions for the future of drug policy, with an argument for social solutions to these social problems.

Enterprise Fortress is a comprehensive guide to building secure and resilient enterprise architectures, aimed at professionals navigating the complex world of cybersecurity. Authored by cybersecurity leader Alex Stevens, the book brings together his experience of over 20 years, blending technical expertise with business strategy. It covers everything from foundational principles to advanced topics, focusing on aligning security with organisational goals. What sets this book apart is its practical, real-world focus – grounded in hands-on experience and strategic insights, it provides actionable advice that can be immediately applied.This book equips readers with the knowledge to tackle the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Whether you’re developing security frameworks, handling governance and compliance, or leading a security team, Enterprise Fortress has you covered. By combining best practices with innovation, it provides tools and strategies for both current challenges and future threats.Key Features: Clear, step-by-step instructions on designing and implementing enterprise security architectures. Practical frameworks for integrating security into the business strategy. Detailed insights into governance, risk management, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and ISO 27001. Case studies that highlight real-world challenges and solutions from various industries. Exploration of advanced topics like security automation, orchestration, and emerging cyber threats. Guidance on building and leading effective cybersecurity teams and fostering a security-aware culture within organisations.Enterprise Fortress is perfect for cybersecurity professionals, IT leaders, enterprise architects, and business executives responsible for securing their organisations. Whether you’re an experienced architect or new to the field, this book offers the technical know-how and leadership insights to help you strengthen your organisation’s security posture and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Enterprise Fortress is a comprehensive guide to building secure and resilient enterprise architectures, aimed at professionals navigating the complex world of cybersecurity. Authored by cybersecurity leader Alex Stevens, the book brings together his experience of over 20 years, blending technical expertise with business strategy. It covers everything from foundational principles to advanced topics, focusing on aligning security with organisational goals. What sets this book apart is its practical, real-world focus – grounded in hands-on experience and strategic insights, it provides actionable advice that can be immediately applied.This book equips readers with the knowledge to tackle the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Whether you’re developing security frameworks, handling governance and compliance, or leading a security team, Enterprise Fortress has you covered. By combining best practices with innovation, it provides tools and strategies for both current challenges and future threats.Key Features: Clear, step-by-step instructions on designing and implementing enterprise security architectures. Practical frameworks for integrating security into the business strategy. Detailed insights into governance, risk management, and compliance with regulations like GDPR and ISO 27001. Case studies that highlight real-world challenges and solutions from various industries. Exploration of advanced topics like security automation, orchestration, and emerging cyber threats. Guidance on building and leading effective cybersecurity teams and fostering a security-aware culture within organisations.Enterprise Fortress is perfect for cybersecurity professionals, IT leaders, enterprise architects, and business executives responsible for securing their organisations. Whether you’re an experienced architect or new to the field, this book offers the technical know-how and leadership insights to help you strengthen your organisation’s security posture and stay ahead of emerging threats.

How is UK drugs policy made, and why does it so often seem irrational when considering what works in reducing drug-related harms? This book explains how the concept of drug policy constellations – the loosely concerted policy actors with shared moral commitments that influenced policy outcomes – explains why there is no such thing as 'evidence-based' drug policy. Drawing on his participation in high-level policy discussions, and a novel approach to policy analysis, Stevens presents three recent cases involving key issues in UK illicit drug policy – medical cannabis, drug-related deaths and the government’s 10-year drug strategy.

How is UK drugs policy made, and why does it so often seem irrational when considering what works in reducing drug-related harms? This book explains how the concept of drug policy constellations – the loosely concerted policy actors with shared moral commitments that influenced policy outcomes – explains why there is no such thing as 'evidence-based' drug policy. Drawing on his participation in high-level policy discussions, and a novel approach to policy analysis, Stevens presents three recent cases involving key issues in UK illicit drug policy – medical cannabis, drug-related deaths and the government’s 10-year drug strategy.

For half a century the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has dominated ill-conceived approaches to the prohibition of drugs and the criminalisation of many offenders. Wilful blindness to scientific facts has distorted the dispensation of justice, prevented lifesaving investigation, sidelined critics and thwarted advocates of politically inconvenient drugs law reform.This once in an epoch review by experts from a range of disciplines shows how lawmakers and the media have ignored the scientific evidence to sustain badly founded rhetoric in favour of blanket bans, punishment and the marginalisation of opponents. Countless individuals (including the vulnerable, deprived, addicted and mentally ill) have therefore suffered unnecessarily. This, the most comprehensive critique of the 1971 Act yet, rests on the combined learning of leading medical, scientific, psychiatric, academic, legal, drug safety and other specialists to provide sound reasons to re-think half a century of bad law.