DS Daily - 12th February 2010 |
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Weekly news bulletin
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Anthrax update
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Blackpool have confirmed yesterday that the death of an injecting heroin user in Blackpool was the result of anthrax.
Latest communication to NTA regional teams is available here [NTA, UK]
Two new anthrax cases in Scotland - first anthrax fatality confirmed in England
This brings the number of confirmed anthrax cases in Scotland to 21, with the number of deaths remaining at nine [Scottish Drugs Forum, UK]
Anthrax Outbreak Information
The latest information on the anthrax cases in drug users in Scotland [Health Protection Scotland, UK]
Advisory Group recommendations for homelessness and substance use in Scotland
Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Homelessness and Substance Misuse yesterday published its recommendations for improving housing service provision for people affected by homelessness and drug and alcohol problems [SDF, UK]
Walking proof that methadone 'is failing' after 20 years on treatment
One of Scotland's leading experts on drugs misuse launched a fresh attack on the nation's methadone programme yesterday after a drug addict finally had his free supply cut off – after almost 20 years [The Scotsman, UK]
Valium link to heroin is unfounded
Based on this research it seems inappropriate to compare the use of oral diazepam medication to intravenous heroin use, as was depicted by The Daily Telegraph [NHS Choices, UK]
January 2010 edition of the Drugs Newsletter
For the first Drugs Newsletter of the new year, we have selected featurettes on support to young people away from substance misuse, and looking ahead to tackling drugs changing lives [Home Office, UK]
GMP Officers In Huge Heroin & Crack Seizure
Half-a-million pounds worth of drugs have been seized by local neighbourhood Greater Manchester Police officers in Rochdale [Police Oracle, UK]
Man drowned in stream
Yet no-one called the police, unaware that Danny, a recovering heroin addict, had suffered a reaction to prescribed drugs and methadone [This is Wiltshire, UK]
2010 Points of View, a new beginning
If you weren’t there (or even if you were there) this is the film that really gives you a sense of what happened at the Road to Recovery event [Inexcess TV, UK]
Major boost for SNP’s clampdown on alcohol
The experts from the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand sent the letter to all MSPs saying they should adopt the controversial measure to ban cheap alcohol [The Herald, Scotland, UK]
Uncertainty hangs over legality of minimum alcohol pricing
It is still unclear if the Scottish Government has the power to introduce a minimum alcohol price, MSPs have said [The Herald, Scotland, UK]
Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England Post 2010 (Marmot Review)
The aim of the Review was to propose an evidence based strategy for reducing health inequalities from 2010. The strategy includes policies and interventions that address the social determinants of health inequalities [UCL, UK]
Imperial Tobacco challenges ban on cigarette machines
Imperial Tobacco, Britain’s leading cigarette manufacturer, said yesterday that it was seeking a judicial review of the Government’s plan to ban cigarette vending machines from next year [Times, UK]
Gardaí seize 300,000 BZP tablets in 2009
Gardaí seized a total of 300,000 BZP tablets in 2009, at a time when the overall illegal drug market contracted sharply [Irish Examiner]
Thirty barred from Winter Olympics after doping tests
Over 30 athletes have been prevented from competing at the Winter Olympics for breaking drugs rules, the World Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed [BBC, UK]
Omeros Announces NIDA's Support for Phase 2 Clinical Study in Addiction Program
Omeros is developing proprietary compositions that include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists for the prevention and treatment of addiction to substances of abuse, such as opioids, nicotine and alcohol, as well as other compulsive behaviors, including eating disorders [PR Newswire, USA]
President defends drugs crackdown
Mexican President Felipe Calderon said he will not withdraw troops from the embattled border city of Ciudad Juarez despite criticism that the presence of thousands of soldiers exacerbated violence [Daily Express, UK]
2010 National Drug and Alcohol Awards
Many exceptional people in exceptional organisations work to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use and associated harm in Australia, yet they are often the forgotten achievers who receive little recognition [National Drug and Alcohol Awards, Australia]
Dangers of drug and alcohol use during pregnancy: medics ask for more training
A new study has found that doctors and nurses believe they need more training and resources to help them talk to pregnant women about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Summary - Full Report [Alcohol Healthwatch, New Zealand]
Iran's 30-Year War on Drugs
Over the past 30 years, the poisonous effects of Afghanistan's narcotics industry have steadily transformed Iran's law enforcement and border security institutions, forcing drastic changes in the way Iran deals with what has become a burgeoning transnational narco-insurgency on its southeastern frontier with Pakistan and Afghanistan [World Politics Review]