DS Daily - 11th January 2012 |
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Tackling drug-abuse is a national priority, er, depending on where you live
The drug strategy sets out a compelling vision which can engage and motivate local communities, but localism in a period of austerity risks disinvestment for a stigmatised group. If we get this wrong the consequences will be far-reaching and devastating for people willing to make the commitment to turn their lives around and begin the recovery journey, as well as their families and communities - Noreen Oliver, Martin Barnes | Parliamentary Briefing, UK
Sniffer dogs and random tests in the classrooms are NOT the way to protect schoolchildren from drugs
The prevention of children’s initiation into drug use is a debate that should be central to drug policy formation. But Kathy Gyngell’s concerns about current prevention policy (or, rather, one specific aspect – the ‘Talk to FRANK’ campaign and helpline) lead her to a perverse conclusion that the government should introduce police-led sniffer dog searches and random drug testing in schools. This would do more harm than good | Daily Mail, UK
Why the methadone doesn't work
Doling out methadone to heroin addicts has become a daily ritual for many pharmacies but the government needs to tackle the root causes of addiction | Guardian, UK
Long-term benefits of legal heroin for heroin addicts in Spain
Further and long-term evidence from a trial in Granada in Spain that prescribing heroin to heroin addicts who have not done well on methadone benefits them and the wider society, including in this case somewhat more working and off welfare benefits than after being prescribed methadone | Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK
Adfam responds to Home Affairs Committee inquiry into drugs
The response looks at how well family support is recognised in policy, and what the implications are for pratice in a changing political and economic environment. Adfam argues that family involvement can make drug and alcohol treatment more effective and help sustain recovery, but families should also receive support for their own needs, regardless of the status of their substance using relative - Download full response | Adfam, UK
OFT agrees minimum pricing could cut alcohol consumption
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has agreed minimum pricing could help cut alcohol consumption | The Publican’s Morning Advertiser, UK
Alcohol Focus Scotland submission to health and sport committee on alcohol minimum pricing
The comments were contained in a written submission to Holyrood's Health Committee, which is currently scrutinising the Scottish Government's proposals to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol | Alcohol Focus Scotland, UK
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance report 'More for less? Independent advocacy - more demand, less funding'
Independent advocacy aims to help people by supporting them to express their own views, wishes and desires and to make informed choices | IRISS, UK
Professionals to lead way on patient-centred care
The NHS Future Forum has given its second set of reports to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley in which it sets out a series of recommendations to improve the quality of patient care and achieve better outcome - Download summary report | NHS Future Forum, UK
Measuring personal outcomes: Challenges and strategies
This Insight, written by Dr Emma Miller, Honorary Senior Research Associate at Glasgow School of Social Work, will consider some of the challenges of measuring outcomes and emerging responses to these | IRISS, UK
Dial 101 for non-emergencies
A single police non-emergency number has been rolled out to police forces across England and Wales | Home Office, UK
Copenhagen wants controlled cannabis shops
Regulating the cannabis market after a failed attempt to re-criminalise | Transnational Institute, Netherlands
Dutch ban stimulant khat
The Dutch government Tuesday banned the use of khat, a leaf native to East Africa chewed for its stimulant properties mainly by the Netherlands' sizeable Somali community | Yahoo
1 in 20 used illicit drugs in the past year
Data on illicit drug use are sorely lacking. It is no coincidence that public policy in this area is abysmal | Globe and Mail, Canada
Prison needle exchange talks continue
ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says she is meeting with prison officers this month to try to resolve an impasse over a proposed syringe program at Canberra's jail | ABC News, Australia
Radio Current Affairs Documentary: Needle exchange
The ACT Government is considering a plan to provide prisoners with clean drug injecting needles and syringes. If the pilot program goes ahead it would be a first in Australia. However, most prison officers are vehemently opposed and some are vowing to boycott any moves to trial prison needle and syringe programs | ABC News, Australia
BOA chairman Lord Moynihan rejects Wada policy on doping bans
The British Olympic Association fears that aspiring athletes will be more tempted to take performance-enhancing drugs if its policy of banning doping cheats for life is overturned by the World Anti-Doping Agency | Guardian, UK