DS Daily - 17th August 2010 |
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Leading doctor urges decriminalisation of drugs
Former president of the Royal College of Physicians says blanket ban has failed to cut crime or improve health [Guardian, UK]
Former RCP president backs review of drugs laws
Decriminalising drug use could drastically reduce crime and improve health, the outgoing president of the Royal College of Physicians has said [BBC, UK]
" Consider Drug Regulation" says ex-president of Royal College of Physicians
Danny Kushlick, Head of External Affairs at Transform Drug Policy Foundation said with a Prime Minster and Deputy Prime Minister both longstanding supporters of alternatives to the war on drugs, at the very least the Government must initiate an impact assessment comparing prohibition with decriminalisation and strict legal regulation [Transform Drug Policy Foundation, UK]
Illegality 'makes drugs more dangerous'
Stephen Roles, of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, explains why believes drugs should be decriminalised and regulated [Today, BBC, UK]
Displacement of public injecting
Dr. Stephen Parkin writes about alternative approaches to the way public injecting sites are closed down [Injecting Advice, UK]
Liverpool JMU axes controversial mephedrone Miaow Miaow tests
After months of deliberation, JMU has confirmed it has cancelled all work on the scheme following the reclassification [Liverpool Echo, UK]
Self-help leaflet evaluation: East Midlands direct marketing effective
An evaluation of direct marketing of the self-help leaflet [pdf] in the East Midlands found that the approach 'was very effective, and efficient in terms of return on investment' [Alcohol Policy UK]
Prescription drug vending machine on trial
Two types of prescription drug vending machines may be introduced across England [BBC, UK]
Kerlikowske draws the wrong conclusions
What can be learned from the Dutch cannabis experience? [Transnational Institute, Netherlands]
Moscow police to test drug detecting device on drivers
Drugs and traffic police will work in tandem on an experiment to detect drivers under the influence of narcotics on the streets of Moscow [RIA Novosti, Russia]
NIDA and Federal Partners to Launch National Drug Facts Week
November Awareness Week Promotes Scientific Facts about Drugs for Teens [National Institutes of Health, USA]
U.S. FDA Delays Opioid REMS Until 2011
This announcement comes shortly after the FDA’s advisory committee rejected initial plans late last month and all indications are that opioid REMS, when finally implemented, could dramatically change the prescribing of opioids for the millions of Americans who benefit from these pain relievers [Pain-Topics, USA]
Monitoring, Counseling Curb Rx-Opioid Misuse
New research demonstrates that close monitoring and substance-misuse counseling may facilitate compliance with opioid analgesic therapy in even the most difficult patients [Pain-Topics, USA]
Chasing the Genes for Cocaine Addiction
Brain protein MeCP2 in the spotlight [Addiction Inbox, USA]
An Evaluation of the Compulsory Drug Treatment Program
The evaluation was limited to assessing the impact of the CDTP on the health and wellbeing of participants, measuring changes in perceived coercion, affective reactions, treatment readiness and therapeutic alliance, gauging participant satisfaction with various aspects of the program, and monitoring participants’ drug use whilst on the program [NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Australia]
Govt backs conscience vote on alcohol law
Justice Minister Simon Power says the Government will hold a conscience vote on the proposed change to the alcohol purchasing age [Stuff.co, New Zealand]