DS Daily - 23rd May 2013

Work Programme 'not helping the most disadvantaged unemployed people'

Those who most need support are being 'parked', says Paul Farmer of Mind, one of three large charities that agree with a critical Work and Pensions Committee report | Third Sector, UK

Revealed: Who does the most drugs?

The Tab set out to discover which students are spending their time lighting up rather than knuckling down. Here are the results | Tab, UK

Why philosophy students do the most drugs

Nearly 90% of them have taken drugs, a higher proportion than in any other discipline, according to a poll of 21 UK universities | Guardian, UK

Leeds University most popular institution for drug users as eight out of ten undergraduates admit to trying illicit substances

The vast majority of students at British universities have experimented with drugs with a staggering 85 per cent at one institution admitting to have dabbled with illegal substances, a recent study has found | Mail Online, UK

'UNSPOKEN' - Break the silence on drug addiction amongst women - video

Here is a trailer of a short film for DiversityInCare's awareness campaign 'UNSPOKEN', on the issue of drug addiction amongst women in the UK | YouTube, UK

Less alcohol, fewer drugs: how the British seem to be shedding their harmful habits

Contrary to popular belief, Britons’ harmful habits seem to be on the wane | Spectator, UK

Barriers to Evidence-Based Education

Robert Slavin, director of the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University’s school of education, asks us to imagine that we used evidence to guide everything we do in schools | MentorThinks, UK

Reviewing a school drug policy and responding to substance misuse

Responsing appropriately to drug misuse and taking a proactive role | MentorThinks, UK

Coming soon: Alcohol-free bar

A new alcohol-free bar will open in Nottingham – thanks to a £340,419 grant. Double Impact is one 11 projects across the East Midlands to receive a share of more than £3 million from the Big Lottery Fund | This is Nottingham, UK

Coffee addiction: Do people consume too much caffeine?

US officials are investigating the safety of caffeine in snacks and energy drinks, worried about the "cumulative impact" of the stimulant - which is added to a growing number of products. Is our tea and coffee-fuelled society too dependent on the world's favourite drug? | BBC, UK

Why this global fascination with the Toronto mayor's alleged cocaine use?

People, especially Americans, are willing to pay money to find out if Toronto mayor Rob Ford used illegal drugs | Guardian, UK

Brad Pitt admits to overdoing drugs and being a "drifter" before he met Angelina

The actor gives a super-frank interview about his old life, kinda slates ex wife Jennifer Aniston in the process | Mirror, UK

Fitness-for-work tests unfair on people with mental health problems, court says

Work capability assessments place those with mental health conditions at substantial disadvantage, judge concludes | Guardian, UK

European Drug Report 2013 to be launched on 28 May - video

The EU drugs agency (EMCDDA) has reshaped the way in which it reports on Europe's drugs problem. On 28 May, the agency will present its annual overview of the European drug situation in a new information package designed to be 'more timely, interactive and interlinked' | EMCDDA, Belgium

Brain patterns may help predict relapse risk for alcoholism

Distinct patterns of brain activity are linked to greater rates of relapse among alcohol dependent patients in early recovery, a study has found | NIH, USA

How Can Marijuana Be Sold Safely?

Washington State and Colorado are trying to figure out how to legalize marijuana without encouraging use or sustaining a black market. Soon the rest of the nation may be facing the same task | NY Times, USA

Moving Beyond That-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named: Alternatives to Syringe Exchange

Few public health practices are as controversial as syringe exchange programs, which allow people who inject drugs to exchange used hypodermic needles for sterile ones | Huffington Post, USA

Bill requiring drug tests for some applicants for unemployment benefits passes Texas House

A bill that would require the state to drug test jobless Texans who seek unemployment benefits won preliminary approval in the House on Tuesday | Dallas News, USA

A Look at the OAS Report on Drug Policy in the Americas

Last Friday, the Organization of American States released a groundbreaking report on the future of drug policy in the Americas | Cato Institute, USA

Molecule may be able to block cocaine addiction

Scientists say they have identified a compound that may be able to help cocaine addicts overcome their addiction | CBS News, USA

“Original Coca-Cola had a very small amount of cocaine”

An expert explains how the company's ruthless business tactics helped create the world's most recognizable brand | Salon, USA

‘Club Drug’ Ketamine Lifts Depression in Hours

The largest study to date confirms that ketamine — a “club drug” that is also legally used as an anesthetic — could be a quick and effective way to relieve depression | TIME, USA

Regulators move to control anxiety drug misuse

octors, health researchers and a magistrate are welcoming prospective new tougher rules designed to halt the over-prescribing of a controversial anti-anxiety medication | Abc.net.au, Australia

Addiction to sweet foods studied

A sugary syrup widely used in processed foods like biscuits can cause behavioural changes similar to the effects of cocaine, according to new research | Australian, Australia

Time for society to grow up and raise legal drinking age

The spectre of raising the legal drinking age to 21 pops up periodically and is inevitably pushed down again because it is politically unpalatable and socially difficult | Courier Mail, Australia

Transcript: Should soft drugs be decriminalised?

Complete transcript of the debate | 3news.co.nz, New Zealand

NZ ready for healthy drug law

The overwhelming result in favour of decriminalisation on last night’s The Vote, shows New Zealand is ready to ditch our outdated drug laws and move to health-focused solutions, the New Zealand Drug Foundation said today | NZ Drug Foundation, New Zealand

Meth plan continues to show results

Prime Minister John Key today released the latest Indicators and Progress Report for the Government’s Tackling Methamphetamine Action Plan, and says while the picture of methamphetamine (P) supply in New Zealand remains a complex one, the efforts of law enforcement agencies are continuing to produce positive signs | Beehive.govt.nz, New Zealand