Thanks all! I’m fully booked
Thanks to everyone who responded to my call in last week’s column for good crime novels to read in lockdown. There was a fabulous selection of suggestions and I’m about to start with The Anniversary by Fife man Ian Anderson. There are two reasons for this – it’s his debut novel born out of lockdown and I like the cover.
Before the pandemic, I was in airports a lot and enjoyed the WH Smith section devoted to Scottish authors. It was only when my own book, Knowing The Score, was published in 2017 that I became aware of all the work that goes into getting books onto shelves. I hadn’t realised just how many authors are out there, or how many book festivals. Now that the festivals are on hold and bookshops closed, it’s great to get recommendations from Sunday Post readers. Keep them coming!
Actor Ewan Mcgregor narrates the documentary detailing the treatment snubbed by drugs minister Angela Constance. Made by Bafta-winning director Norman Stone, The Final Fix follows hardened drug users in America as they try to quit drugs using NET. Stone said: “I’d no influence over who was taking part, or the outcome. This was a no-holds-barred look at how NET could be used to break the destructive cycle we’ve fallen into of creating generations of addicts with the NHS as their supplier. “Just one man didn’t break free from drugs. Despite him responding positively to NET within a couple of days, the pull of opioids was too much after being addicted for so many years. “Tragically, he died. It showed the system wasn’t perfect. Some may struggle with the enormity of changing their lives. But the success of the others, who remain drug-free, shows the possibilities of NET.”
Mr Stone said he had first heard of the treatment in 1979 and, on visiting Meg Patterson at her home, met an unrecognisable Eric Clapton who was sleeping on her couch while undergoing treatment. He said: “I have absolutely no interest in this other than wanting to find a way to help Scotland end the tragedy of thousands of needless deaths each year, because I’ve seen what this treatment can do.”
But he said his efforts to have the Scottish Government watch the film – which has won 10 awards – have come to nothing. He said: “I’ve tried on three occasions to have the Scottish Government watch The Final Fix so they can see the incredible potential this treatment has.
But despite Scotland’s catastrophic drug death figures, they cancelled each time.”
A man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a one-year-old boy they were going to adopt.
The child was placed with his adoptive parents at the time of his death, but a final adoption order had not yet been granted by the court.
Cumbria Police said a 37-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, from Barrow, were arrested on suspicion of murder and causing and allowing the death of a child.
The boy died in hospital last month.
Customersintheuk hoping to splash out on a Tesla face a delay of up to a year for new models due to increased demand for electric cars.
Left-hand drive models of the cars are being made available before those with right-hand drive.
Delays of four months or more are also expected on some battery-powered cars from other manufacturers.
Demand for electric cars tripled in the UK last year compared to 2019, despite an overall decline in new car sales.