DS Daily - 9th March 2010 |
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Commission on Narcotic Drugs opens in Vienna
At its fifty-third session, the Commission will focus on effective ways of raising awareness about the risks of abusing drugs, including cannabis; improving the understanding of drug addiction as a chronic health disorder; and the importance of research and data collection [UNODC]
UNODC Warns of Drug "Health Disaster" in the Developing World
In his address to the 53rd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which takes place this week in Vienna, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa, warned that failure to control drugs will unleash a health disaster in the developing world [UNODC]
CND 2010 Day 1 - Inclusion of human rights again provokes debate
The 53rd session on the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs opened today in Vienna. It didn't take long before supporting human rights was again a cause of debate among CND member states [IHRA]
‘Methadone is a noose around my neck’
Scotland now has 22,000 addicts on the heroin substitute. Is it working... or a costly mistake [The Big Issue, UK]
Anthrax Outbreak Information
Confirmed case now 26 [Health Protection Scotland, UK]
'Grossly irresponsible' Robbie Williams blasted after describing cannabis as 'lovely' during an interview
The controversial singer, who has battled addictions to cocaine and prescription drugs, said he was still smoking the illegal substance last year and claimed it was ‘a shame’ that it ‘did not mix well’ with him [Daily Mail, UK]
Drugs crackdown hailed a success
Seventeen people tested positive for drugs during a weekend crackdown in Aberdeen, police have said [BBC, UK]
School sees 180 pupils off sick after taking 'miaow, miaow'
A secondary school has seen 180 pupils off sick in the last four months after taking the party drug known as "miaow miaow" [Telegraph, UK]
Illegal 'smart drugs' bought online by teenagers before exams could have catastrophic effect on their health
Concern over smart drugs has been growing for some time among academics, politicians and pharmacologists, but it has been brought into sharp focus with the announcement that the former health minister, Lord Darzi of Denham, is heading a study at Imperial College, London, into their effects [Daily Mail, UK]
Alcohol abuse 'epidemic' warning
Alcohol abuse is the "new lung cancer", the medical director of Torbay Hospital has warned [BBC, UK]
Hepatitis C
People at risk of having the Hepatitis C virus are being encouraged to come forward for testing as part of a new campaign by [Scottish Government, UK]
Heroin blamed for rise in city crime figures
Heroin use has been blamed for a rise in street-level and petty crime in Cork, despite an overall reduction in crime figures [Irish Examiner]
Young drug users wait months for help
A service dealing with young drug users has said addicts are having to wait up to two months for an assessment due to staff shortages [Irish Examiner]
Methadone antidote easily available, trial into toddler's death told
A teaspoon of methadone would have been enough to kill a toddler who died with a "significant amount" of the drug in her bloodstream, Alberta's deputy chief toxicologist testified Monday [Vancouver Sun, Canada]
Director Kerlikowske Delivers Opening Statement Before the 53rd UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Highlighting the Administration's commitment to reduce drug use and its consequences in the U.S. and around the world at the 53rd Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Opening statement [ONDCP, USA]
Premier bans booze breaks after RTA promotion
The NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, has banned alcohol at all RTA promotions, admitting that alcohol supplied at a young driver safety event this year sent a ''very confusing message'' [SMH, Australia]