DS Daily - 2nd March 2010

Second anthrax case confirmed in London

This is the third case of anthrax seen in an injecting drug user in England since similar cases were first seen in Scotland in December 2009 [Health Protection Agency, UK]

Largest ever study of cocaine users in treatment published

More people are using powder cocaine, more people are seeking help for dependency, and more are being successfully treated, according to the results of the largest ever study into the effectiveness of treatment for powder cocaine dependency in England, published by the [NTA, UK]

Powder cocaine: how the treatment system is responding to a growing problem

Effective treatment is available for people who have a powder-cocaine problem – seven in ten of those who come into treatment either stop using or reduce their use substantially within six months… [NTA, UK]

Drug advisers review cocaine use

Drug advisers are to review the effects of cocaine, amid concerns youngsters increasingly take it in the mistaken belief it is "relatively safe" [BBC, UK]

Mephedrone: classifying 'legal highs'

Until we know the real harm of legal recreational drugs such as mephedrone, they should be put into a holding 'class D' - David Nutt [Guardian, UK]

Mephedrone is the new drug on the block

Described as a cross between cocaine and ecstasy, mephedrone is the new kid on the party block [Metro, UK]

Heroin: £10 temptation for drug users

Heroin is the drug of choice in Hartlepool with users come from a wide range of backgrounds, according to those responsible for beating the habit [Hartlepool Mail, UK]

Nelson needle centre plans to be discussed tonight

Plans to convert a former bank in Nelson town centre into a drug and alcohol misuse centre with a needle exchange will be discussed by councillors tonight [Lancashire Telegraph, UK]

Drug treatments

The emphasis therefore, has already begun to change from harm reduction towards recovery, in combination with measures to reduce supply, build safer communities, and support families affected by drug misuse [Letter - The Scotsman, UK]

Babies of methadone mothers develop eye defects, say experts

Babies born to mothers who take methadone during pregnancy have developed a range of visual problems, according to a report by medical experts in Glasgow [Scotland on Sunday, UK]

HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for people who inject drugs

A systematic review of global, regional, and national coverage [The Lancet, UK]

St Mungo’s integrated and personalised service highlighted as good practice

"The Role of Third Sector Innovation", published by the Cabinet Office, features the Neighbourhood Link scheme as a prime example of a successful integrated and personalised, early intervention service [St Mungo's, UK]

The Children's Society launches new resource to support young runaways

The Young Runaways Education Resource, developed by The Children's Society in collaboration with the DCSF, will provide a tool for schools to help intervene when children show signs of being ‘at risk’ [The Children's Society, UK]

Over 1 in 5 blame peer pressure for drinking more

Peer pressure to drink to excess could be all in our minds according to a survey published for the Department of Health today [DoH, UK]

Drugnet Europe 69

Newsletter [European Monitoring Centre of Drugs and Drug Addiction]

The Access to Opioid Medication in Europe (ATOME) Project

Leading scholars and public health specialists have formed a new consortium that will work to identify and remove barriers in Europe that prevent people from accessing critical opioid medications [IHRA]

Partnership/ MetLife Foundation Attitude Tracking Study

The study shows a reversal in the declines in teen abuse of drugs and alcohol that we’ve seen since 1998. The national study also highlights the critical need for parents to take immediate action as more teens are using alcohol, Ecstasy and marijuana [Partnership for a Drug-Free America]