Melanie Davis has more than 25 years of experience as the manager of REST (Recovery Experience Sleeping Pills & Tranquilisers). REST offers support, guidance and advocacy for people in Camden and Islington struggling with benzodiazepines and other Z drugs. Started by Mind in Camden in 1988, the service is now provided by the health and social care charity Change Grow Live.

 

Melanie has used her expertise to shape government policy as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependency and the Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry. She has contributed to several committees and reports on the issue of prescribed drug dependency. Her insights have been featured in national media, including BBC Newsnight, The London Times, and the Daily Mail.

 

Through her work with REST, Melanie has supported over 3000 people to safely withdraw from benzodiazepines. Examples of REST’s work form part of Public Health England’s framework on prescribed drug dependency which is due to be published in 2022.

 

This conversation is hosted by Nicole Lamberson, PA of the Medicating Normal Outreach Team.