DS Daily - 16th October 2013

Fulfilling lives: A guide to the new policy environment for multiple needs (PDF)

This briefing has been prepared by DrugScope on behalf of the Making Every Adult Matter Coalition. It provides an overview of policy themes and initiatives relevant to the multiple needs agenda, including substance misuse, criminal justice, homelessness, mental health and broader issues of public service reform | MEAM, UK

Last chance to have you say in the national State of the Sector survey, conducted by DrugScope on behalf of the recovery partnership

The survey will be closing on Friday 18th October, so please take a few minutes to help us to understand how local decisions are affecting services. You can find out more about the survey here, or take the survey here | DrugScope, UK

Debate on 17 October: Drugs Policy - Lords Library Note

This Library Note provides background reading for the debate to be held Thursday, 17 October on the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee on drugs policy (HC 184, session 2012–13) and the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform, published in January | Parliament.uk, UK

The Trust's Hepatitis C 'State of the Nation' Policy Report

A new report, published today by The Hepatitis C Trust, has found that hepatitis C is grossly under-prioritised in England. Despite it being curable, only 3% of people receive treatment each year | Hep C Trust, UK

Directors of public health: role in local authorities

The roles and responsibilities guidance describes both the statutory and non-statutory elements of the role of director of public health, and sets out the arrangements that allow local authorities to have confidence in their appointments. It will also allow them to build on their own good practice while meeting national requirements | DoH, PHE, UK

Research Studentships: Deadline Approaching

Deadline: 4th November: Universities are invited to apply for one of three jointly-funded research studentships.  These studentships will be awarded for studies commencing in the academic year 2014/15 and offer £7,000 per year match funding for three years to enable a student to undertake research in the alcohol field leading to a PhD | Alcohol Research UK, UK

Smoking trends in Great Britain since 2000

A timeline and chart that shows the smoking trends in Great Britain between 2000 and 2012. The time lines includes key dates that impacted on the sale and restriction on tobacco | ONS, UK

Ketamine-like drug lifts depression without the trip

A drug similar to ketamine has been shown to work as an antidepressant, without the psychosis-like side effects associated with the party drug | New Scientist, UK

TV Programme: Dying To Get High: Tonight - Thursday 17th October at 7:30pm on ITV [no link]

An investigation into the world of legal highs - chemicals designed to mimic the effects of drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis - that are widely available on our high streets across the UK | ITV.com, UK

TV Programme: Exposure: Britain's Booming Cannabis Business - Wednesday 16th October at 11.05pm on ITV

With access to cannabis growers and dealers, ITV Exposure found that as 80% of cannabis consumed in the UK is now home-grown and illegal cannabis production has become a multi-million pound business| ITV.com, UK

How to spot if you have a cannabis farm next door

A new report estimates that 500,000 people grow cannabis in the UK – roughly one person on every street. So how can you tell if your neighbour is raising a crop? | Guardian, UK

Police warning after drug traffickers' cyber-attack

The head of Europe's crime fighting agency has warned of the growing risk of organised crime groups using cyber-attacks to allow them to traffic drugs | BBC, UK

Helicopter thermal imaging leads to cannabis factory conviction

Heat-sensitive cameras on board a helicopter led to the detection of a large scale cannabis growing operation, West Midlands Police has said | BBC, UK

One child every week admitted to hospital as booze crisis takes hold

A child is admitted to hospital every week across Northern Ireland because they are suffering from an alcohol-related condition, it has been revealed | Belfast Telegraph, UK

How is the justice data lab doing?

When the MoJ announced the launch of its Data Lab in April 2013, I gave it a hearty welcome, with the proviso that the proof of the pudding would be in the eating | RussellWebster.com, UK

Press release: Innovative substance use recovery programme Breaking Free Online reports strong half year in 2013 (PDF)

Press release from Breaking Free Online announcing an increased reach throughout the first half of 2013 | Breaking Free, UK

Forced rehab: A solution for Australia's grog addicts?

Australia's Northern Territory has a serious drink problem and has introduced some of the world's harshest measures to deal with it. Drunks can now be forced into rehabilitation - and jailed if they drop out | BBC, UK

California Deals Major Blow To Drug-Sentencing Reform

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) vetoed a bill on Saturday to reduce the penalty for offenders caught for simple drug possession | Huffington Post, UK

Study Identifies Which Bipolar Patients Will Respond to Ketamine Therapy for Depression, Pain

Researchers have discovered how to determine which bipolar patients will benefit from Ketamine, a treatment commonly used for depression and pain relief, according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY™ 2013 annual meeting | Science Daily, USA

Study: Oreos as addictive as cocaine or morphine

Can't keep your hands out of the Oreo package? We know, we know - you can't help it, they're addictive!| Examiner.com, USA

Hooked on the war on drugs

For thirty years, the global cocaine empire was controlled from the heart of Colombia’s streets | IPF, USA

Latest Synthetic Drugs Usher in New Drug Age

The war on drugs may take a new turn, as reports suggest that the popularity of synthetic drugs may be on the rise. Annual surveys focusing on drug use and general drug information suggest that most users prefer taking chemically enhanced drug products like ecstasy, LSD and ketamine | au.ibtimes.com, Australia

Firm rules by parents can prevent adolescent binge drinking

A Deakin University study has found that rates of teen binge drinking were reduced by 25 per cent when parents set rules not to supply or allow adolescent alcohol use | Deakin.edu.au, Australia