DS Daily - 17th May 2010

How Liverpool docks became a hub of Europe's deadly cocaine trade

A new generation of ruthless gangsters is emerging in the city at the heart of Britain's cocaine trade, and they are talking to the merciless Latin American paymasters of the global business [Observer, UK]

Wormwood Scrubs: the darker side of reality television

Images of self-harming, the aftermath of a suicide and widespread drug-dealing inside one of the UK's largest prisons were watched by 5 million viewers, 20.9% of the potential audience [Guardian, UK]

Clinician acquisition and retention of Motivational Interviewing skills: a two-and-a-half-year exploratory study

The present exploratory study covers a longer time period than most evaluations of MI training, and has several advantages with regard to study design [Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy]

Disabled activist implores jury to convict for growing cannabis

Thanks to government intransigence, my conviction is an opportunity to argue my case at the Court of Appeal, in an attempt to help myself and many thousands of people to live a better quality of life [UKCIA]

Addenbrooke's Hospital - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Research Study and Pocket Guide

Downloads at the bottom of this page [HubCAPP, UK]

Manchester - Comprehensive care pathway development

NHS Manchester has been working with three Acute Trusts across the city to implement the Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) programmes in each of the Accident and Emergency departments [HubCAPP, UK]

Minimum pricing: SNP continue to pursue Alcohol Bill

SNP have been seeking to secure minimum pricing despite opposition from the other main parties and retail industry [Alcohol Policy UK]

Nurse-led alcohol services can aid abstention

Regular information and advice sessions from alcohol specialist nurses could help 40% of dependent drinkers to give up alcohol altogether [Royal College of Nursing, UK]

Liver deaths on rise due to 30-year-old hep C epidemic

The illness has caught up with thousands of Edinburgh adults, some of whom only dabbled in drug use and discovered they were infected sometimes two decades later [Edinburgh Evening News, UK]

Internet-inspired drinks parties spread panic among authorities

French authorities are perplexed about how to respond to a wave of internet-inspired outdoor drinks parties which have begun drawing tens of thousands of young people to city centres across the country [The Herald, Scotland, UK]

World Cup sex risks for sports fans who drink so much they can’t remember what they did after the match

In response to this, Terrence Higgins Trust has published its online guide, ‘Scoring without getting an own goal’, to give sports fans top tips for safer post-match action [Terrence Higgins Trust, UK]

Use Your Head: Harm Reduction Information

This booklet provides harm reduction information for individuals using psychoactive drugs - legal highs or otherwise - Download [Ana Liffey, Ireland]

Drugs strategy - Child drug use terrifying development

The Matt Talbot Adolescent Service, which caters for 14 to 23 year olds in Cork city, reported in 2006 that the youngest people referred to it for drug treatment were 12 year olds. This year, however, children as young as eight years of age are showing the onset of drug use [Irish Examiner]

Israel's weed shortage is a blessing

The lack of supplies means less people are taking drugs – not resorting to harder substances, as is often thought [Guardian, UK]

Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders

This report examines the latest evidence on the complex interconnection between addiction and mental illness [CCSA, Canada]

Canadian Court of Appeal upholds supervised injection site’s right to operate

North America’s first supervised injection facilty, was a provincial undertaking that did not undermine the federal goals of protecting health or eliminating the market that drives drugrelated offences. As such, the Court held that the drug possession and trafficking provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) did not apply to Insite. Download [International Yearbook on Human Rights and Drug Policy]

Saskatchewan won't get safe-injection sites

Despite having Canada's highest rate of HIV-AIDS infection, Saskatchewan health officials say they have no plans to build facilities where intravenous drug users can more safely inject street drugs under the supervision of a health professional [CBC, Canada]

Police use DVD to warn youths about synthetic drugs and clandestine labs

But some health officials aren't enthusiastic about it and suggest police focus elsewhere [The Vancouver Sun]

Intranasal Naloxone Is a Viable Alternative to Intravenous Naloxone for Prehospital Narcotic Overdose

Given the difficulty and potential hazards in obtaining IV access in many patients with narcotic overdose, IN naloxone appears to be a useful and potentially safer alternative [Prehospital Emergency Care]

Marijuana plantations feeding Europe's habit

Cauca province is one of the few regions of Colombia where, according to United Nations' anti-drug officials, the production of marijuana and coca leaves, the raw material for cocaine, is increasing [CNN, USA]

In U.S. visit, Mexican president to discuss drug war, immigration

President Felipe Calderón arrives in Washington this week for a two-day state visit that was supposed to be a celebration of U.S.-Mexican cooperation in his drug war [Washington Post, USA]

Teen risk-taking linked to reward signal

Unprotected sex, wild rides on a motorbike, smoking, drugs or alcohol - the litany of risk-taking by teenagers is famously long. But what drives it? [The Age, Australia]

Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Initiatives

Including recordings from aseminar hosted at North Sydney on the 23rd of March 2010 [Health NSW, Australia]

NSW moves to control drinking

Under changes introduced to state parliament on Friday, the government has moved to seize control of the opening hours of pubs, bars and clubs and give itself the power to impose measures such as lock-outs and service restrictions on any licensed premises [SMH, Australia]

Singapore’s decision to maintain mandatory death penalty for drugs criticised by the International Harm Reduction Association

Today’s unfortunate decision places Singapore on the extreme fringe of the international community by keeping the country as one of the few that impose a mandatory death sentence for drugs [IHRA]