Gloucester drug addicts on web
A PHOTOGRAPHER who took disturbing images of Gloucester drug addicts and published them on the internet has abandoned the project after coming under fire from community leaders.
Andrew Moxon said he took pictures of heroin and crack addicts in the city to highlight flaws in the welfare and benefit system in the UK.
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unhappy: Brian Jones, of GEAR, who is unhappy with the content of the Tales of Gloucester website.
But his pictures on the website Tales of Gloucester angered community leaders, who said it portrayed a negative view of the city.
The site showed addicts injecting themselves, as well as shocking images of the physical effects of drug addiction.
Brian Jones, who works at Gloucester homeless centre GEAR, said: "I am amazed this site even exists. Speaking as someone who works at GEAR I know some of the people in these pictures and they are very vulnerable indeed.
"I am told some of them were paid £20 for being in the pictures. These are addicts and it's obvious where that money is going to go.
"But I am also very unhappy as a Gloucester resident. This is a website called Tales of Gloucester and it comes up on the front page of a Google search for the city. This isn't an accurate reflection of the city we live in."
Coun Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, added: "Drug addiction is a serious issue and should be treated as such. It is a national problem and not unique to Gloucester.
"Drug addicts need support and deserve to be treated like human beings, rather than used as pieces of art.
"Gloucester has its problems, but the description on the website is unhelpful, inaccurate and unfair."
Images on the site included heroin users injecting, wounds left by continued injection and emaciated drug users.
But Andrew Moxon, who lives with his wife and family in Wotton, and whose work has been featured at Gloucester Guildhall as well as at galleries across the UK, argued that the criticisms were unfair.
Speaking from Arles, France, where he is working on a similar project, he said: "Drug use is a very serious problem across the UK and anyone who thinks that doesn't apply to Gloucester is very seriously mistaken indeed.
"These images are not glamorising drug use in any way. They are showing the dangers of drug use and they are an attempt to raise awareness about the way in which our patchwork and slapdash benefits system is failing people across the UK, as well as the way drugs have become a major part of that system.
"It's called Tales of Gloucester because that's where these people are living, but it could be any large town or city in the UK.
"As for the idea that I paid these people and exploited them, I have been working with these people for many years, in some cases, and I know them very well. Most of them volunteered and I only paid people if they specifically asked for payment. I didn't feel I could refuse as these are not people with very much money to call their own.
"I am upset about the allegations made about the documentary. The website is temporary and was installed in order to show the work to potential publications outside the UK the work. I have suspended the site forthwith and all the images have been removed."
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by Tom Stickland, Stroud
Thursday, November 06 2008, 1:12PM
“I believe that the aim of the site was to publicise the truth. Now this might be a bit too much to take for those who wish to confuse their imagination with realityy. It's called delusion.”
by Dave, Longlevens
Thursday, November 06 2008, 12:46PM
“I'm sure that one thing Andy wanted to do was open a debate by showing a lot of people how it really is, so this is now happening. People can pretend it doesn't happen if they want to, if it makes them feel better but hopefully as a result of Andy highlighting the issue and the grim reality of drug abuse, it will raise awareness. If one person views the images and it puts them off ever taking drugs then isn't that better than posting flyers no-one reads or parents saying "Don't do it, it's bad."? It's sad that Andy has decided to remove the site, it had many powerful and shocking images which I hope will emerge through other channels. I'm sure there are people living in Gloucester who are totally oblivious to how some people are living in their city but are all too ready to abuse anyone who has the guts to stick their neck out and show us.”
by Dawn, Gloucester
Thursday, November 06 2008, 10:32AM
“Some harsh comments about these very vulnerable people living life on the streets of this 'run down and ugly city'. How would the people who have commented cope if everything they had was removed and they were left with nothing. A temporary and vicious escape from reality for these people. There are volunteers who care and help as much as possible, more are always needed. A lovely new shopping development or real help for these people, what should we choose? Btw I hope the council will start to improve the run down areas around the city, just by weeding, cleaning and general maintenance we could improve our surroundings immensely. I fear that the new development will be poorly maintained too eventually.”
by Iona, Glos
Thursday, November 06 2008, 10:30AM
“I know Andy and he is a very intelligent, talented person. He cares about these people. Maybe if people showed their kids more things like this and explained the lifestyle they wouldn't start in the first place. I think he is giving the addicts a voice cause no one seems to be listening to them.”
by jim, cheltenham
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 9:01PM
“Adam learn to spell you moron.”
by adam, Gloucester
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 8:28PM
“This website is disgusting, this man has made money and fame out of the misery of other people and thier families. He has exploited the vulnerbilty of these people by preying on them and offering them money, as they clearly have an addiction they are not going to turn it down. I dont believe that he is highlighting the issue in Gloucester, although clearly there are drug users in the city that need help and support. I expect none of them understood thier pictures would be made so visable and in any case they are someone's children and how do thier families feel seeing these disturbing pictures. I ask everyone to give the families of the people who have fallen into the trap of an evil drug a thought. Andrew Moxon should be prosecuted for preying on the vulnerable aspect of these users.”
by mr logic, quedgeley
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 7:00PM
“round up all the druggies and stick them in a prison ween them off drugs and make them join the army. they make other peoples lives worse than they already are!
by the way i have a friend that did this he was pn herion.”
by Tom Stickland, Stroud
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:04PM
“Google "tales of gloucester" and click on cached.”
by Tom Stickland, Stroud
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 1:00PM
“It's not clear from this report why he removed the site. Was he asked to?
"I am amazed this site even exists."
Is this the way to create a "new reality"? i.e. Just pretend that the current reality doesn't actually exist.
Of to find the google cache.”
by Quegeley Guy, Quedgeley
Wednesday, November 05 2008, 10:42AM
“More power to Andrew Moxon for doing something to show the truth about illegal drugs.
Our Community Leaders should resign now for their shallow attempts to hush up someone who has the Right to Freedom of Expression.a right that I am using here and now.”