DS Daily - 28th July 2010

UNODC urges drug dependence treatment, not punishment

Drug dependence is a health disorder, and drug users need humane and effective treatment - not punishment. This was the key message of a UNODC discussion paper launched at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna last week [UNODC]

Fight to block expansion of addicts' centre

A campaign has been launched by residents to block the expansion of a drug rehab centre opposite the planned site of a new school [South Wales Evening Post]

Prisoners access internet and order drugs on illicit phones, says report

The use of telephones by prisoners is so inadequately monitored that public safety is at risk and drugs are being ordered because calls are not being monitored, a damning official report disclosed [Guardian, UK]

Open letter to Professor Steven field

I am writing to you regarding serious concerns I and many others have about the widespread iatrogenic benzodiazepine and z drug addiction which has existed in the UK over the last 50 years [Addiction Today, UK]

Imperial College closes department of pharmacology

The Department of Primary Care and Public Health at Imperial College London found that adverse psychiatric reactions as a cause for hospital admissions leapt by 76.8% over 10years. Despite this, it is closing its department of Pharmacology [Addiction Today, UK]

Cannabis and cancer – Another “wrong” result!

One of the big claims of the prohibitionists has always been that cannabis causes cancer, indeed that smoking cannabis is worse than tobacco, it seems this isn’t quite true [UKCIA]

Legal Highs - Taking drugs seriously

This project will examine and evaluate the ways in which the UK seeks to control drugs following the proliferation of new synthetic substances. This will include a fundamental rethink of drug control approaches, policy objectives and a serious consideration of intended and unintended consequences, including alternatives to criminal penalties [Demos, UK]

Mental Health (Psychiatric) Hospital Activity Statistics

Significantly more males than females discharged from psychiatric hospitals have a diagnosis of alcohol/drug related problems (25% compared with 12%) [ISD Scotland, UK]

Residents to get more power to object to pubs under new laws

Home secretary Theresa May will also announce a ban on below-cost alcohol in speech on tackling antisocial behaviour [Guardian, UK]

'More needed' to tackle drinking

Theresa May unveiled plans to tackle violent disorder and other problems caused by alcohol ahead of a key speech on anti-social behaviour [Daily Express, UK]

Brief alcohol advice works with psychiatric patients

Will brief alcohol advice work with depressed and/or distressed psychiatric patients at risk from their drinking? From Sweden, an affirmative answer from the first study among psychiatric outpatients to test brief alcohol advice against screening alone [Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK]

IHRA Appoints New Executive Director

The Board of Directors of the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is very pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Lines as IHRA’s new Executive Director [IHRA]

District patients shouldn't expect legal sale of marijuana until early 2011

District leaders say it will be months before the city begins allowing the sale of medical marijuana, even though the law authorizing up to eight dispensaries took effect Tuesday after the Democratic-controlled Congress declined to intervene [Washington Post, USA]