Radical

Neil Woods is a former undercover police officer who used to infiltrate drug gangs, but he now believes drugs should be legalised and the market regulated by government. He's a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), which campaigns for drug policy reform around the world.
In the main episode Neil explained why he thinks prohibition of illicit drugs has failed and outlined his plan for the government to source and supply drugs like cannabis, cocaine and heroin through pharmacies or via sales in regulated shops.
In this special Q&A, Neil answers your questions on minimum ages for these drugs, the experiences of other countries, and the thorny moral question.
- WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 
- Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday.
Series Producer: Simon Tulett
Producer: Nathan Gower
Technical Producer: Mike Regaard
Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham

As an undercover police officer Neil Woods' job was to infiltrate drug gangs and put their leaders behind bars, but he says his work gradually convinced him that he was doing more harm than good. Since leaving the force he has become one of the UK's foremost campaigners for drug policy reform.
Neil tells this week's host, Jenny Kleeman, why he believes the war on drugs has failed, and sets out his alternative vision for legalising and regulating the use of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other products. He thinks drugs on prescription or sold with age and dose restrictions, as well as health advice, would be the best way to keep users safe and wrest control of the market away from organised crime.
But, of course, Neil has his opponents. We ask whether the war on drugs really is failing, if legalisation would really eradicate crime and the black market, and whether legalisation might actually increase drug use and deaths.
- WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 
- Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday.
Series Producer: Simon Tulett
Producer: Nathan Gower
Technical Producer: Mike Regaard
Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham

Sarah Harper is Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and one of the world's leading experts on demographic change. She challenges the widespread belief that ageing populations are primarily a social and economic burden, arguing instead that longer lives represent one of humanity's greatest achievements and an opportunity to rethink how society is organised.
In the last episode, Sarah explained why many of the pressures associated with ageing societies stem from institutions that were designed for a very different era. She argued that our welfare systems, labour markets and expectations around retirement no longer reflect the realities of modern life, where people are living longer, healthier lives than previous generations.
In this week's Q&A, Sarah joins James Marriott to answer your questions about the future of retirement, pensions and work in an ageing society. She explores generational resentment and how we can bridge the gap between old and young, whether inequality is more important than age, and whether politicians disproportionately focus on older voters.
- WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 
- Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday.
Series Producer: Rufus Gray
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic
Digital Producer: Gabriel Purcell-Davis
Technical Producer: Dafydd Evans
Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham

This week, James Marriott talks to Sarah Harper, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Oxford and one of the world's leading experts on demographic change. She challenges the increasingly common narrative that ageing populations represent an inevitable economic and social burden, arguing instead that longer lives should be seen as an achievement that requires us to rethink the way society is organised.

As birth rates fall and life expectancy increases, governments across the world face growing concerns about pensions, healthcare and shrinking workforces. Yet Harper believes many of these pressures stem from institutions that were designed for a very different era. She argues that our welfare systems, labour markets and assumptions about retirement are still based on outdated ideas about ageing and no longer reflect the realities of modern life.

She wants us to be more radical, and makes the case for a fundamental rethink of the state pension, proposing that eligibility should be linked to years of contribution rather than chronological age. More broadly, she argues that we need to move beyond rigid age-based milestones and develop new ways of understanding work, contribution and later life in an ageing society.

Can ageing populations drive prosperity rather than decline? Should age continue to determine when we stop working and start receiving support from the state? And what would it take to build a society that not only adapts to longer lives, but thrives because of them?
- WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 
- Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday.
Series Producer: Rufus Gray
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic
Digital Producer: Gabriel Purcell-Davis
Technical Producer: Dafydd Evans
Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham

Brendan Simms is Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge and the author of The Return of the Great Powers. He challenges the widespread belief that Britain is in terminal decline, arguing that the UK remains one of the world’s four true Great Powers.
In the main episode, Brendan explained why Britain’s resources, global reach, reputation and resilience still give it significant international influence. He also argued that great power politics has returned as the dominant force shaping global affairs.
In this special Q&A, Brendan answers your questions on what steps Britain needs to take to stay relevant, whether its military is fit for purpose, and whether our soft power is overlooked.
- WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 
- Email: radical@bbc.co.uk
Episodes of Radical are released every Thursday and Monday.
Series Producer: Rufus Gray
Producers: Nathan Gower and Ivana Davidovic
Digital Producer: Joe Wilkinson
Technical Producer: Jonny Baker
Senior News Editor: Sam Bonham