DS Daily - 11th February 2011 |
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Drugs and harm to society
We believe the most important message from this study is therefore the urgent need for more action on the harm caused both to the individual and to society by alcohol [The Lancet, UK]
Drugs and harm to society — Authors' reply
It is pleasing to see that our paper has generated a good deal of interest [The Lancet, UK]
Homelessness: charities face 30% funding cuts
A new survey warns that funding cuts and hostel bed closures threaten to pitch homlessness services into "deep decline" [Guardian, UK]
Transformation in recovery communities: Matt Statman guest Blogs
I feel fortunate to work at an organisation here in the U.S. where assertive linkage with the recovering community is at the core of our mission [Binge Inking]
Surrey Police raids in drug dealing crackdown
Dawn raids have been carried out in Surrey, Sussex and London by police in a crackdown on drug dealing [BBC, UK]
Sentencing for men who swapped airbags for drugs bags
The men used a number of cars modified to store and transport the drugs. By removing the passenger airbag and adapting the cover with a remotely-activated locking system, the gang effectively created hidden safes capable of holding 4-5kg of drugs in each of the vehicles [Serious Organised Crime Agency, UK]
Mephedrone warning after Northumberland hangings
The coroner issued a warning to young people that the drug, known as miaow miaow - and legal at the time - had been linked to many suicides [BBC, UK]
Home Office assesses UK alcohol pricing policy options
Latest bulletin from the Drug and Alcohol Findings Effectiveness Bank lists five new documents on UK alcohol pricing policy including the Home Office's conclusions about the likely impact of a rise in price and the research which informed this assessment [Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK]
Drink-drive cases on hold as leading forensics lab axed
The National Policing Improvement Agency have sent a memo in which it advises drunk-driver samples be put on ice as the Forensic Science Service will not process any samples taken under the Road Traffic Act [Daily Mail, UK]
Teenage drinking
Should we teach teenagers how to drink? [Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK]
'Ban alcohol sponsorship' of sports events says charity
Alcohol Concern Cymru said marketing at such events distorted peoples' ideas on how much drinking was "safe" [BBC, UK]
Working with Offenders Directory
The Working with Offenders Directory is a free, comprehensive online database providing support for offenders in prison and the community. It features details of rehabilitation services available to offenders and their families [Clinks, UK]
Tobacco companies expand their epidemic of death
On Feb 10, Philip Morris International will report their 2010 full-year results. We guess that they will make much of their claim to sell their products in 160 countries worldwide [The Lancet, UK]
When is social marketing not social marketing?
Can the tobacco industry be trusted to educate our children about the dangers of smoking? Is a brewer the best source of health promotion? Paper [Drug Education Forum, UK]
Does alcohol on T.V. make for more alcohol in the hand?
It is an easy and familiar accusation that has been levied at violent video games, drug use heavy movies, and alcohol advertising. But what is the actual evidence for it? [All About Addiction]
Under-16s caught with alcohol to face fines
Under-16s caught with alcohol in bars or at events will face a cash penalty if the new legislation becomes law. Bars and shops caught selling alcohol to the under-16s already face fines [Dutch News, Netherlands]
Candidate calls for drug test in the workplace
An election candidate called last night for the introduction of random drug-testing in the workplace — including the houses of the Oireachtas [Irish Examiner]
Sharp Rise in Street Drug Use Among Stroke Patients, Study Shows
While smoking and alcohol use remained relatively stable over a 13-year study period, street drug use among stroke patients rose more than nine-fold, according to new research from the [University of Cincinnati, USA]
Community Coalitions Vital to Preventing and Reducing Drug Use
Emphasizing the vital role that community coalitions play in reducing drug use, Director Kerlikowske echoed the President's recent remarks by recognizing the continued inspiration, hard work and contributions that happen each day by local level organizations an citizens across the country [Of Substance Blog, ONDCP, USA]
D.C.'s leading provider of clean needles to drug addicts to close Feb. 25
PreventionWorks has been distributing free needles for more than 12 years. It provides about one-third of the free needles in the city, distributing about 100,000 sterile syringes to 2,200 people last year [Washington Post, USA]
States race to ban risky 'bath salts' drug
A growing number of states are moving to ban a new synthetic drug known as "bath salts" that can cause severe side effects, including paranoia, hallucinations and sometimes violent behavior [USA Today]
2010 NYC Marijuana Arrest Numbers Released
50,383 New Yorkers Arrested for Possessing Small Amounts of Marijuana [Drug Policy Alliance, USA]
The Prospects for Drug Reform: California
This is the first in a series of reports on the prospects for drug reform in a handful of states where the chances of legalizing marijuana are the strongest [Drug War Chronicle, USA]
The addled piorities of US drugs policy
As cities like Camden, New Jersey are forced to cut policing, it is nonsensical for law enforcement to pursue prohibition [Guardian, UK]
US considering anti-drug aid plan for CentAm
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Brownfield said Washington would initially put in $200 million to be used just by the seven Central American countries [Washington Post, USA]
Drug addict baby numbers rise
A total of 86 babies were born suffering serious withdrawal symptoms in the year to July 2010, compared with 67 the year before [The West Australian]
AIDS In Afghanistan: Stigma Hampers Fight Against The Disease
Afghanistan has around 1 million drug users. Of those, an estimated 20,000 inject, and 80 percent of them share needles [Ariana, Afghanistan]
Human Rights Watch: Stop Targeting Harm Reduction Services
Human Rights Watch has called on Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to cease harassment of drug users and to put an end to the government’s heavy-handed tactics intended to interfere with the evidence-based treatment services [IHRA]