DS Daily - 29th August 2012

Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife

Findings are suggestive of a neurotoxic effect of cannabis on the adolescent brain and highlight the importance of prevention and policy efforts targeting adolescents | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Cannabis and mental health

This leaflet looks at the research on the effects of cannabis use and mental health | Royal College of Psychiatrists

Alcohol by-product destroys blood stem cells

New research shows that acetaldehyde, the breakdown product generated when the body removes alcohol, causes irreversible damage to the DNA of stem cells in the body’s ‘blood cell factory’ – the bone marrow | MRC, UK

Traffic-light blood test shows hidden alcohol harm

A traffic-light colour-coded blood test can reveal hidden liver damage caused by drinking above recommended alcohol limits, say experts | BBC, UK

How to tackle unsafe drinking

In this week's Scrubbing Up, Dr Nick Sheron, a liver expert at the University of Southampton, explains why we need a blood test to alert people to the harm they could be doing to their body | BBC, UK

Alcohol zone for Liverpool street drinkers

Street drinkers in Liverpool are being given a designated alcohol area in the city centre as part of a trial by the city council | BBC, UK

Committee reports on HM Revenue and Customs renewed alcohol strategy

The Commons Public Accounts Committee publishes its 6th Report of Session 2012-13, 'HM Revenue and Customs: Renewed alcohol strategy,' | Parliament, UK

MPs demand action on lost alcohol taxation

The UK's tax authorities should prosecute more people for alcohol smuggling, a committee of MPs say | BBC, UK

Merger Talks Announced

CRI and Sova have entered into negotiations with a view to a merger between the two national charities | CRI, UK

How can we avoid the latest threat to funding

Planned reform of business rates reveals serious implications for the future of the Homelessness Prevention Grant | Homeless Link, UK

Take Control - Self-management in care and treatment planning

This booklet tells the stories of some of the people involved in our self-management course in Wales, their goals, the obstacles they faced, and the ways they have overcome them. Free download | Mental Health Foundation, UK

Mental health detention rise amid ‘pressure on hospital beds'

Detentions under the Mental Health Act rise by 18% in a year as social workers warn detentions can be "only way to get clients a bed" at under pressure hospitals | Community Care, UK

What is minimum pricing

Getting the facts right on minimum pricing | Alcohol Action Ireland

Demand for needle exchange soars

Demand for clean needles by intravenous drug users is way up in Newfoundland and Labrador, and outreach workers at the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador say they're concerned the increase may signal a jump in intravenous drug use | CBC News, Canada

Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized

'Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol' Campaign Discusses Why Pot Prohibition Has Been A Failure | Huffington Post, USA

Marijuana Legalization

More Than 100 College Professors Express Support For Colorado's Legal Pot Measure | Huffington Post, USA

Why Washington's War on Drugs in Afghanistan Isn't Working

After twelve years and more than $6 billion, the "war on drugs" in Afghanistan is no closer to victory than the war against the Taliban. Since 2001, the acreage cultivated with opium poppies has doubled | Huffington Post, USA

Prison drugs report backs ACT needle exchange

ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher is using a national report on drugs in prisons to urge opponents of a needle exchange program to change their minds | ABC News, Australia

Family key to youth drug abuse recovery

Young people are more likely to recover from drug and alcohol problems if they can resolve any conflicts with their families, a snapshot of Victorian youth shows | The Australian

Standard on Culturally Secure Practice Launched

Minister for Mental Health The Hon Helen Morton MLC has officially launched the Standard On Culturally Secure Practice (Alcohol and other Drug Sector) 1st Edition. Download | WANADA, Australia

Alcohol abuse estimates attacked

The alcohol industry is responding to stricter controls on drinking by using a New Zealand economist to challenge estimates that abuse is costing the nation $15 billion a year | Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

Industry attacks alcohol abuse research

In the face of calls for measures to counter grog abuse, the alcohol industry is financing an academic critique of "nanny state" measures, importing a New Zealand economist who challenges a $15 billion estimate of the annual cost of alcohol abuse in Australia | The Age, Australia