DS Daily - 20th December 2010 |
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Drugs Policy
Thursday 16 December 2010 [Hansard, Parliament, UK]
Drug demand surge likely after massive heroin haul
Doctors are braced for a surge in demand from drug addicts seeking methadone in the wake of the biggest seizure of heroin ever made in the Lothians [The Scotsman, UK]
All parties must see that the drugs war has failed
Bob Ainsworth is not alone in craving a rational debate [Observer, UK]
At least Bob Ainsworth dares to speak about drugs
Our leaders are too addicted to power to upset voters by demanding we have a proper debate about the possible legalisation of narcotics [Observer, UK]
Get tough on drugs, don't legalise them
There is a strong case for setting excise duty at a higher rate than on booze and fags, argues Simon Heffer [Telegraph, UK]
The problem is politicians, not drugs
Ex-Home Office Minister spills the beans about UK drugs policy and is shouted down by all the party leaders, now whoever would have expected that to happen? [UKCIA]
Charity for homeless tells people not to give money to beggars at Christmas
Thames Reach says seasonal generosity is spent on buying crack cocaine and heroin [Guardian, UK]
New record set as heroin worth £2m is seized
Police in Edinburgh have made their largest single haul of heroin after seizing £2 million-worth of the drug in a raid [The Herald, Scotland, UK]
Lifeline Project Online Annual Review
[Lifeline, UK]
Pupils face drug tests at top Edinburgh school
One of Scotland’s most prestigious private schools plans to introduce military-style random drug tests among its pupils following a drugs bust on its grounds last month [The Herald, Scotland, UK]
Government Drug Strategy Heralds Recovery Revolution
This Recovery News Special examines the coalition governments new drug strategy; a sea change in policy that puts drug free recovery at the top of the agenda [Inexcess TV, UK]
The low price made us do it, say Scots problem drinkers
A new study of the heaviest drinkers in Scotland has found almost half blamed the low price [The Herald, Scotland, UK]
Even as we focus on addiction, we engage in denial
It seems that our old friend the drink is still getting a free pass. Gerry Ryan had apparently been drinking and using cocaine on the day he died, yet in all the talk which ensued, there was hardly a mention of the drink [Independent, Ireland]
RTÉ rejects allegations of tolerance towards drug abuse
RTÉ last night rejected allegations that there was a tolerance of drug abuse among its workforce but acknowledged that its coverage of issues around cocaine use following Gerry Ryan’s inquest last week was “less than it could have been” [Irish Times]
Eurasian Harm Reduction Network Launches Hepatitis C e-Resource
With support from the Open Society Public Health Program, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network has launched a Hepatitis C e-Resource, which contains research and information for people living with hepatitis C, families of people with hepatitis C, treatment advocates, clinicians, and policymakers [Open Society Foundations, USA]
Setting the Record Straight on Motherhood and Drug Use
This is the first in a series of upcoming posts on the topic of pregnancy and drug use [Open Society Foundations, USA]
Increasing Abuse of Bath Salts
Law enforcement officials throughout the country are reporting that products promoted as bath salts have become prevalent as a drug of abuse [NDIC, USA]
NADCP Launches All Rise Facebook Page!
National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) launched a new dynamic Facebook page to help spread the incredible message of Drug Courts to millions [ATTC, USA]
What the stats on teens and marijuana don't show
The fact that more high school students now smoke pot than cigarettes says more about our successful tobacco policy than the consequences of medical marijuana [LA Times, USA]
Mass. alcohol poisoning deaths soar in past decade
Alcohol poisoning deaths are soaring in Massachusetts, and state health officials are pointing to a number of potential causes — from binge drinking to the sales tax exemption given to alcohol sold in stores [Boston Herald, UK]
A guide to evaluating prevention programmes
A detailed guide for carrying out evaluations of prevention programmes [International Center for Alcohol Policies, USA]
RBT leads to $20m drug seizure
Police in northern New South Wales believe they may have intercepted an organised crime network after seizing $20 million worth of illegal drugs [ABC News, Australia]
Heroin addicts are travelling to Western Australia to kick their addiction
The naltrexone treatment, which differs from the traditional methadone treatment offered in SA, is supported by the federal Therepeutic Goods Administration, but remains unregistered [Adelaide Now, Australia]
Target on alcohol results in 1,364 arrests
The first night of the Australasian police exercise Operation Unite has resulted in the arrests of almost 1,400 people for alcohol-related offences [SMH, Australia]
Aussies overestimate drinking limits
Australians should get to know drinking guidelines ahead of the festive season because many don't know their limits, health authorities say [The Age, Australia]
Excessive drinking accepted: commissioner
An acceptance of excessive drinking is partly to blame for alcohol-related violence, NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione says [The Age, Australia]
Drink and drugs deadly mix
Every 48 hours someone is killed by a drug or drink-impaired driver who's way over the current limit. Focusing resources on this group will achieve the greatest road safety benefits [New Zealand Herald]
Drugs - Alternatives to the war
Following the police and military operation in Comlexo de Alemão, a large favela complex ruled by narcotraffickers for the past 20 years, several voices have emerged in favor of drug legalization as a solution to the violence generated by narcotrafficking and efforts to combat it [IDPC]