DS Daily - 2nd September 2011

Conference "Rising to the challenge"

DrugScope conference "Rising to the challenge" London, Wednesday 2nd November 2011 - only 30 places left | DrugScope, UK

Updated HIV figures published

Data released by the Health Protection Agency shows that almost 70,000 persons were accessing HIV-related care at the end of 2010, an increase of 4,100 (6%) compared to 2009. An estimated 90% were being treated as indicated under the current national guidelines | Health Protection Agency, UK

Fife drug and alcohol groups decision 'is a testament to the democratic process'

A lifeline thrown to Fife drug and alcohol support groups has been hailed as a testament to democracy | The Courier, UK

Opening Public Services

We can’t do everything all at once, so we have set up this website so that you can give us your suggestions and tell us your priorities between now and the 30th September 2011 | Cabinet Office, UK

Russell Webster

A new blog to stimulate debate around the rapid changes in the way we deliver public services especially in the arenas of crime and drug and alcohol treatment | Russell Webster Blog, UK

Peterborough drivers to get 'sobriety tests'

Cambridgeshire Police are using US-style sobriety tests to target drug-impaired drivers in Peterborough | BBC, UK

Corporate manslaughter laws now apply to custody

Custody providers, including prisons, secure hospitals, police and juvenile detention facilities, will be covered by corporate manslaughter laws from 1st September - The Order | Justice.gov, UK

Corporate homicide law extended to prisons and police cells

Legal change could make authorities liable for large fines over deaths in custody | Guardian, UK

Tobacco giants tell Whitehall to hand over its secret minutes

Department of Health targeted by Gallaher and Philip Morris | Independent, UK

Smoked out: tobacco giant's war on science

Philip Morris seeks to force university to hand over confidential health research into teenage smokers | Independent, UK

Professor defiant in tobacco-giant battle

A university researcher at the centre of a row with the world's biggest tobacco company has accused the firm of being part of a "pariah industry" intent on undermining his research into smoking | The Scotsman, UK

Philip Morris: tobacco firm using FOI laws to access secret academic data

The world’s biggest tobacco company has sought to access highly sensitive academic research into the smoking habits of British teenagers | Telegraph, UK

Criminal underworld exposed on the "hidden internet"

Channel 4 News exposes the "hidden web", a shady network of websites trading in illegal goods, including drugs and paedophile material, apparently beyond the grasp of the authorities | Channel 4 News, UK

Safer injecting facility in Vancouver saved lives

The safer injecting facility in Vancouver prevented overdose deaths, but only in the area nearest the service, suggesting that often several facilities will be needed to make a city wide impact. Given the opposition they can arouse, in some cities this will not be easy | Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK