Daily news - 6th December 2016


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UK news

An Independent Review into the impact on employment outcomes of drug or alcohol addiction, and obesity

The government asked Professor Dame Carol Black to undertake an independent review into how best to support people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, or are obese, to start, return or remain in work. This review provides an evidence-based analysis of the factors that stand in the way of employment and recommends practical interventions to help overcome them | Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, UK

Collective Voice response to the Dame Carol Black Review

The publication of the Dame Carol Black review into improving access to employment provides a real opportunity for the alcohol and drug treatment sector which we must seize | Collective Voice, UK

Improving access to employment

Yesterday Dame Carol Black published her review recommending improvements to employment opportunities for people with drug or alcohol problems. Blenheim welcomes the report which recognises that improvements need to be made and lays out a clear roadmap of realistic recommendations to help service users have a real chance of success | Blenheim, UK

No 10 rules out forcing obese people to undergo treatment to get benefits

Theresa May’s spokesman says sanctioning obese people who refuse help is not under consideration after report dismissed idea | Guardian, UK

BMA calls for complete ban on smoking in vehicles

The Scottish government should ban smoking in vehicles completely, according to the British Medical Association (BMA) | BBC, UK

The campaign against alcohol abuse deserves two cheers

“WHEN I read about the dangers of drinking, I gave up reading.” That old joke – usually attributed to British-born comedian Henry Youngman – neatly sums up many of his compatriot’s attitudes to the risks of alcohol. Or at least it did | New Scientist, UK

Alcohol-related cancers projected to rise - can mass media campaigns help?

Increasing recognition of the risks of alcohol-related cancer has been a priority for a number of health organisations, with recent research identifying limited levels of awareness and projected rises in incidences | Alcohol Policy UK, UK

“Missed opportunities” Five steps to preventing and reducing alcohol related physical health harm

A Recovery Partnership project to review and improve the generic and specialist response to alcohol related illness and disease | Recovery Partnership, UK

Police consider drug-testing scheme for Preston nightclubs

A scheme which would allow night-clubbers to check the ingredients of illegal drugs is being considered in Preston | BBC, UK

Nightclubs to offer free drug-testing booths to check purity of cocaine and MDMA

Drug-related deaths have soared to the highest level since records began, with the vast majority resulting from accidental poisoning | Independent, UK

Why Psychedelic History Matters

The psychedelic renaissance is afoot, and there’s almost no use arguing with the term anymore. It’s just too catchy. This elegant phrase pops up frequently to describe what’s been happening in the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and around the world in the 21st century | Volte Face, UK

CAMRA: pubs play 'huge role' in preventing social isolation

Pubs are crucial in the battle against loneliness in the UK, CAMRA has said, following the publication of the results of a survey by the Campaign to End Loneliness today | Morning Advertiser, UK

Vets worried by rising numbers of drunk pets as more owners leaving leftover tipples around the house 

It is that time of year when your guests tend to over-indulge and imbibe more than is good for them, leaving their hosts to pick up the pieces | Telegraph, UK

Our inquiry

While there is a significant amount of research on the impact of chronic drinking on families and children, far less is known about the impact of ‘moderate’ or ‘lower risk’ drinking. This project aims to address this by investigating the impact of alcohol on children across a range of drinking levels and patterns | Alcohol and Families Alliance, UK

Fred Yates prize

The prize will be awarded at the annual SSA Symposium to a researcher who is in the early or mid part of her or his career who has made a significant and specific contribution to the addictions field in recent years | SSA, UK

Consultation on improving how patients and the public can help develop NICE guidance and standards

We are reviewing the way we involve lay people in developing our guidance and standards. In this context, lay people are people who are not health or social care professionals. We want to hear your views on our proposed new principles and ways of working | NICE, UK

£1m property portfolio seized from Merseyside family

A suspected drug dealer has agreed to hand over his property empire after the National Crime Agency successfully argued | ITV, UK

 

International news

IDPC analysis of the UNODC World Drug Report 2016

The World Drug Report for 2016, the flagship publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is framed by the recent United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs, and draws on key themes developing from the Special Session. It shows the influence of the Outcome Document, and of the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDA) | IDPC, UK

From crystal meth to Olympic glory: the recovery and rise of Luvo Manyonga

Three years ago Luvo Manyonga was a crystal meth addict. Now he is an Olympic silver medallist. This is his journey from the tik-addled townships to Rio glory, with the help of an Irish former street-sweeper turned strongman | Guardian, UK

'Baby boomers' on dope: Recreational marijuana use is on the rise among adults over 50

The recent legalization of recreational marijuana (cannabis) use in California, Colorado, and Washington reflect the sweeping changes in the attitudes and perceptions towards marijuana use in the United States | Medical Xpress, USA

Long-term, low-intensity smoking associated with increased risks of death

Low-intensity smokers who puff on 10 or less cigarettes per day over their lifetime still have higher risks of death than individuals who never smoke, providing further evidence that there is no safe level of cigarette smoking, according to a study | Science Daily, USA

Cigarette smoke exposure increases scar tissue in the kidney and heart, study finds

Smoking may lead to fibrosis in the heart and kidneys and can worsen existing kidney disease, according to a new study. Fibrosis is tissue scarring that can impair the normal function of vital organs | Medical Xpress, USA

E-cigarettes effectively deliver nicotine

New research shows that e-cigarettes are as effective at delivering nicotine as conventional cigarettes, especially when used by experienced vapers | EurekAlert, USA

A new low for cogarette smoking

The number of Americans who smoke has dropped below 40 million for the first time since they’ve been counted, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | NYTimes, USA

Integrating Family Planning and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services: Is It a Good Idea?

Treatment for substance use disorder is delivered to a substantial number of female clients who are of child-bearing age. During the course of treatment, the reproductive healthcare needs of clients such as contraception are often not addressed at all, or are handled by using referrals to off-site services. However, is this what providers and clients think is the best option for supporting recovery? | Recovery Research Institute, USA

Why Critics Are Afraid to Admit That NIDA's Addiction Model and AA Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

As our predestined fates would have it, several prominent books (including by authors as distinguished as Marc Lewis, Sally Satel and Johann Hari) have recently confronted the supposedly scientific neurobiological chronic brain disease theory of addiction | The influence, USA

The Big Business of Making a Cannabis Surveillance State 

Walk into any licensed cannabis grow op in Colorado and one of the first things you’ll notice are the barcodes | Motherboard, USA

Man Who Was Serving More Than 13 Years Over Two Joints’ Worth Of Marijuana Gets Sentence Reduced

Bernard Noble may now be reunited with his family in less than two years | Huffington Post, USA

Mission Australia reports young people most concerned about alcohol, drugs, mental health and discrimination

Major new research by Mission Australia has revealed rising numbers of young people are reporting concerns about alcohol and drugs, mental health and discrimination, pointing to the need for a more targeted and co-ordinated approach to ensure youth support services are accessible across the nation | Mission Australia, Australia

Gold Coast City Council begin weekly random drug tests

The tests began today after councillors approved the move, costing ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, in September | Courier Mail, Australia

 

Blogs, comment and opinion

Urgent need to introduce minimum alcohol pricing

Read John Jolly's latest blog about his views on a recent PHE review recommending that minimum unit pricing of alcohol should be introduced to tackle alcohol related harm | Blenheim Blog, UK

Government Rolls Out Naloxone in Moscow, But Is it Enough?

Drug treatment centres in Moscow have reportedly begun distributing the overdose reversal drug naloxone to people who use heroin and other opiates | Talking Drugs Blog, UK

Is it ok to give your child alcohol at Christmas?

A tiny glass of wine here, a sip of Christmas sherry there and voilà – your children won’t spend their teens inebriated in a gutter | Telegraph, UK

Incentivizing Long-Term Recovery Through Practice & Policy

Despite improvements in the effectiveness of interventions for substance use disorders progress has been slow, particularly regarding long-term outcomes. This editorial makes two suggestions on how to improve treatment engagement and long-term outcomes for patients…. | Recovery Research Institute, USA