DS Daily - 6th June 2011

Stigma and the law

WDP responds to the Global Commission on Drug Policy report "War on Drugs" | Westminster Drug Project, UK

The war on drugs war is lost. Now it's time for a rational response

Politicians are too scared to propose legalisation and controlled use ... The Global Commission is a valiant effort, but it is noticeable that signatories include 11 former presidents, politicians and diplomats, but just one in office | Observer, UK

The Saturday interview: Richard Branson

One of Britain's best known - and a man who knows a thing or two about counterculture - Richard Branson is joining calls for an end to the War on Drugs | Observer, UK

John Rentoul: The truth about the lies about drugs

Reversing the status quo does not solve a problem, any more than a little high-profile nodding is a policy | The Independent

Patrick Cockburn: We must cut politics out of the debate on cannabis

World View: The 'war on drugs' may amount to a form of US imperialism, but advocates of decriminalisation must also acknowledge the real dangers of marijuana | The Independent

Drink and Drugs News

Latest issue online now. Includes a lead story on WDP and an overview on the definition of recovery from the GPs conference

War on drugs has also become a war on free thinking

This matters in Scotland. Our problems are statistically worse than England, Ireland, Finland or Denmark. We have pockets of extreme deprivation where drug abuse is most damaging | The Scotsman, UK

Shock rise in sleeping pills on the black market

A heroin shortage, the rise of the internet and a willingness by GPs to hand out prescriptions have led to a shocking rise in the availability of highly addictive sleeping pills on the black market | Wales Online, UK

Fags ’n’ Hash

The essential guide to cutting down the risks of using tobacco and cannabis | Scottish Government, UK

Supermarkets promote alcopops more than any other drink

Supermarkets are promoting alcopops – the flavoured cocktails popular with young drinkers – more than any other alcohol | Telegraph, UK

Four out of 200 independent retailers sign up to alcohol sale conduct code

Just four out of 200 independent retailers who are licensed to sell alcohol are taking part in an industry-operated scheme regarding the sale of alcohol | Irish Examiner

Unequal Access to Mental Health and Addictions Services Threatens Ontarians

Timely and appropriate care for a mental health or addiction problem depends largely on where you live, leaving tens of thousands of Ontarians struggling to get the care they deserve, says a report released today by the newly-formed Ontario Mental Health & Addictions Alliance | CAMH, Canada