DS Daily - 7th June 2011 |
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Free bursary places at Drugs & Alcohol Today conference
In response to the current economic climate, the Drugs & Alcohol Today conference and exhibition has a limited number of free places available to people currently using drug and/or alcohol services, family members of people currently using drug and/or alcohol services, unwaged, volunteers, and students. On a first come, first served basis. Apply here | Pavilion, The Home Office and Society Guardian, UK
Are frontline nurses prepared for alcohol-related cases?
Nurses are often on the frontline when patients are brought into hospital with alcohol-related illnesses or injuries but how prepared are they for dealing with cases of this kind? | University of Nottingham, UK
Young people 'should avoid alcohol until 24'
People should avoid drinking until their mid-20s because alcohol consumption can hinder brain development, according to a leading scientist | Telegraph, UK
Children, young people and the commercial world
The findings paint a complex picture. Children and young people realise they are under pressure to own material goods ... Yet elsewhere, the survey shows some possessions make young people feel valued, giving a sense of belonging to groups they want to join | Children's Commissioner, UK
Teens unaware of marijuana risks
A snapshot survey of school-going teen-agers has found that a large number of them have admitted using cannabis | Independent, Ireland
Charity numbers fall leaving 'big society' pledge under threat
Official register records fall of over 1,600 charities in coalition's first year, with mergers seeing a 150% increase | Guardian, UK
Launch of the Count the Costs campaign
The War on Drugs: Count the Costs campaign calls on governments and international agencies to meaningfully evaluate the unintended consequences of the war on drugs and explore evidence-based alternatives. Now you can watch the four full presentations that were held at the launch of the campaign | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Drug Policies Must Be Rooted in Science
Last week, the Global Commission on Drug Policy issued a report calling for the decriminalization of illicit drugs based on the notion that global efforts to reduce drug use have been a failure. Certainly, given the stature of the Commission and the long-term challenge of drug policies both nationally and internationally, the Commission's message may appear compelling at first. But there are serious flaws with both the report's conclusion and its proposed remedy | Of Substance Blog, ONDCP, USA
Drug policy – the case for realism
The fact that the path of reform has many obstacles - continuing problems with alcohol and its regulation, the search for simplicity in a complex world of imperfection and the belief in personal responsibility often above all else and certainly before community obligation - this should not blind us to the case for continuing reform | SMH, Australia
Is the developing world dependent on the drug trade?
A report released today examines the relationship between drugs and development aid, arguing that the money is often wrongly targeted and, in many cases, does little to address addiction and drug use problems | ABC News, Australia
Last drinks for Facebook beer barons
The NSW government will urgently seek to close a loophole in liquor licensing laws that has allowed internet-based sly grog salesmen to run 24-hour booze delivery services without a licence | SMH, Australia
Opiate and ATS picture worsens in SE Asia - response required
The international community has taken its eye off the drug control ball in East and South-East Asia. Urgent steps are required to respond to two worrying trends. This was the message from UNODC at the recently-concluded Ministerial meeting in Lao PDR on drug control | UNODC
'Thai heroin detox worked for me'
A report commissioned by a Reading-based charity has suggested a high level of success for a course of treatment which sees drug addicts sent to a Buddhist monastery in Thailand | BBC, UK