DS Daily - 10th June 2009 |
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Cocaine trade and use in the UK
First oral evidence session (9th June): Professor John Strang (Director, National Addiction Centre) and DrugScope (Martin Barnes, Chief Executive and Harry Shapiro, Director of Information and Communications). DrugScope session starts at 31.50 [UK Parliament]
Younger cocaine users more at risk from adulterated drugs
A generation of drug users risk damaging their health by mixing cocaine with other substances in the belief that it allows them to drink alcohol and remain sober for longer, MPs were told today [Guardian, UK]
Indications of Public Health in the English Regions 10: Drug Use
A new report for the Chief Medical Officer released today by the (National) Association of Public Health Observatories reveals the full extent of illicit drug use in England. 204-page PDF [North West Public Health Observatory, UK]
Videos from 'Scotland's Futures Forum'
William White, Pat Taylor, Keith Humphreys, Stephen Birrell, Anne-Marie Ward, Fraser Ross [Film Exchange on Alcohol and Drugs - FEAD, UK]
FEAD - New contributors
Toby Seddon, Neil McKeganey and William White [Film Exchange on Alcohol and Drugs - FEAD, UK]
'Nice people take drugs' ads pulled from London buses
Chief executive of Release, the charity behind the adverts, accuses advertising regulators of censorship [Guardian, UK]
The drugs do work – for a lot of people
One in three adults in the UK have taken them, as have the last three US presidents, so it’s time to remove the stigma around drugs, and talk openly towards more effective, safer policy [Guardian, UK]
So what if nice people take drugs?
A simplistic advertising campaign masks the corrosive, corrupting nature of narcotics [Guardian, UK]
Glamorous image of cocaine fuels rise in women taking class A drug
The number of women abusing cocaine is almost at the same level as men for the first time, an alarming report has revealed [Daily Mail, UK]
Met police: six officers accused of torturing drug suspects
Six Metropolitan police officers have been suspended from duty following allegations they used a form of water-based torture on suspected drugs smugglers, it emerged last night [Guardian, UK]
Drug and alcohol rehab to close
The privately run Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre in Gimingham has failed in its battle to stay open since it went into administration last July [BBC, UK]
Alcohol advertising self-regulation not working, as ads target younger drinkers
Addiction scientists are calling for tighter regulation of alcohol advertising, as new research shows that self-regulation by the alcohol industry does not protect impressionable children and youth from exposure [Addiction Journal]
North-south divide on alcohol abuse evident in hospital admissions
The north-west and Tyneside have the highest level of alcohol-related illness in England, a map of hospital admissions reveals today [Guardian, UK]
Cumbria health chief says "make heroin legal"
Professor John Ashton, the county’s outspoken director of public health, voiced the idea as he told professionals working in the field: “The war on drugs has failed. We need to think differently.” [News & Star, UK]
New lottery cash to help homeless and drug addicts
The grant is part of a £4.6million windfall for community projects in Scotland [STV, UK]
Marijuana laws keep demand, price high, STU professor says
Until marijuana is decriminalized, production of the drug will continue to be a serious problem in this province, says a criminology professor at St. Thomas University [Daily Gleaner,Canada]
Ensuring U.S. Health Reform Includes Prevention and Treatment of Mental and Substance Use Disorders
A Framework for Discussion. 23-page PDF [SAMHSA, USA]
D.C. residents rank as top cocaine, alcohol abusers
The District ranks highest in the country for cocaine use and alcohol dependence, and has the third-highest percentage of marijuana usage, according to a new study [Washington Examiner, USA]
'Guerilla' needle-exchange organizers vow to continue
Harm Reduction Victoria is committed to continuing its needle exchange in what it calls the "no-go zone," despite a commitment by other stakeholders to avoid the location [Vic News, Canada]
RI Senate passes medical marijuana bill
Rhode Island would be the third state in the nation and the first on the East Coast to allow nonprofit stores to sell marijuana to medical patients under legislation approved Tuesday by state lawmakers [Washington Post, USA]
U.S. Announces New Efforts to Combat Mexican Drug Trafficking Trade
New Technologies, Increased Prosecution Meant to Crackdown on Cartels [abcNEWS, USA]
NSW crime down but drug use soars
Against a backdrop of falling overall crime, the latest NSW crime data shows a sharp rise in possession and use of cocaine and ecstasy [SMH, Australia]
Workers campaign against alcopops tax
Workers who claim they will lose their jobs if the federal government formalises the "alcopops" tax have stepped up their campaign for the levy to be dropped [SMH, Australia]