DS Daily - 24th August 2011

Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales, 2010

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics on deaths related to drug poisoning (involving both legal and illegal drugs) and drug misuse (involving illegal drugs) in England and Wales for the period 2006 to 2010 | Office for National Statistics, UK

Official figures show second successive annual reduction in drug misuse deaths in England

The fall in the number of deaths from drug misuse reflects encouraging trends shown by official drug treatment statistics, indicating declining demand for treatment, particularly among the under 30s, and a reduction in overall heroin and crack use and injecting | NTA, UK

Our Invisible Addicts

First report of the older persons' substance misuse working group of the | Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK

Amy Winehouse: no "illegal drugs found" says family

Toxicology results have shown "no illegal substances" in Amy Winehouse's system at the time of her death, according to her family | BBC, UK

UK trial of web-based alcohol prevention program for college students

Would the US tactic of telling college students how little the average student really drinks work with their hard-drinking British counterparts? This UK trial was not altogether convincing, but the US evidence is on balance positive | Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK

Call fo evidence: promote your service and help improve national service provision

As part of its SPARK project Revolving Doors is mapping services or multi-agency partnerships across England supporting adults with multiple and complex needs in contact with the criminal justice system | Revolving Doors, UK

Boys in hoods

In the course of my research, I came to understand how drugs policy - which hasn't changed in 30 years - needs to be far more open to new and experimental ideas | New Statesman, UK

Teens are left to their own devices as council axes all youth services

Norfolk county council says it can no longer afford to fund clubs and hundreds of projects for young people. But what effect will such drastic action have on its youngsters? | Guardian, UK

The Truth About Suicide

This pamphlet recommends that, as part of the Coalition Government’s ongoing consultation on preventing suicide, they should consider making local suicide audits compulsory, and that coroners’ duty to share information should be formalised | DEMOS, UK

Royal College of Psychiatrists Risk to Self Report (2009)

A paper by Dr Marcus Roberts to the Royal College of Psychiatrists inquiry into self harm (2009) | DrugScope, UK

The future for personalisation?

Service users, carers and digital engagement | IRISS, UK

Britain's caffeine boom

Why can't we wake up without smelling the coffee? | Independent, UK

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Alabama Bill Would Require Drug Testing for Some Welfare Recipients

An Alabama lawmaker says he will introduce a bill that would require drug testing for welfare recipients who have a felony or drug conviction | Join Together, USA

Costa Rica 'faces threat of drug gangs'

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla says increased international help is vital to tackle the drug cartels operating in Central America | BBC, UK

NSW police launch officer drugs crackdown

One in three New South Wales police officers will be tested for illegal drugs over the coming year | ABC News, Australia

Aussie facing 12 years for $30 of speed

A Melbourne man facing up to 12 years in jail after being caught in Bali with just over $30 worth of methamphetamine has told a court he used the drug three to four times a month to relieve stress and depression | Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

Alcohol services condemn fines

Specialist drug and alcohol workers should be deployed with police targeting public drunks, and new fines of up to $1100 should be used to boost treatment services, the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association says | The Age, Australia

260 Health Professors Call for Tobacco Plain Packs

Four former Australians of the year are among 260 professors of health and medicine who have written to federal MPs today seeking unanimous support for legislation to mandate plain packaging of tobacco products sold in Australia | Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association