DS Daily - 20th January 2012

Drugs inquiry to hear evidence from Richard Branson

Virgin boss will recommend decriminalising drug use when he appears before MPs' committee | Guardian, UK

Drink risk to baby highest in early pregnancy

A study of nearly 1,000 women over a 27-year period revealed that for every one drink increase per day, the risk of their child being born undersized was almost 20 per cent higher than in those who did not drink | The Scotsman, UK

The inside story on curbing risky student drinking

A new bulletin has collected together the latest additions to the Effectiveness Bank. Two entries not previously released uncover how interventions curb risky drinking; another two examine the sharp ends of addiction treatment | Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK

Drink or drug-driving crackdown sees 7,200 arrested

More than 7,200 people in England and Wales were arrested during the Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers, figures show | BBC, UK

Adult Drinking Patterns in Northern Ireland 2011

This report presents the main findings of a survey carried out to provide an up-to date picture of adult drinking patterns in Northern Ireland in 2011. The findings are based on responses to a questionnaire from a representative sample of 2,022 respondents aged between 18 and 75 years old | Central Survey Unit, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agenct, UK

Homelessness

How can we better understand the relationship between homelessness and social exclusion? | Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK

Crime in England and Wales

Quarterly Update to September 2011 | Home Office, UK

Plans for consumption room to let drug users inject under supervision

Such a facility is currently illegal under Irish law, but the Anna Liffey project wants to open one by the end of 2014 | Irish Examiner

Consultation Paper on Mandatory Sentences

That current minimum sentence law for drugs offences be reviewed because it has led to bulge in prison population without any major effect on those at the top of the drugs industry. Consultation Paper | Irish Penal Reform Trust

Crack and booze addicts get free help to stop smoking from Ontario

Drug addicts and alcoholics looking to break their bad habits are getting a break: free nicotine replacement therapy and counselling if they also want to quit smoking | The Star, Canada

Family can play powerful role in helping loved ones addicted to prescribed drugs

With close to 2 million Americans dependent on or abusing prescription painkillers, a growing number of families are redefining their notions of what a drug addict looks like | Seattle Times, USA

The Year in Tobacco Control

The tenth annual State of Tobacco Control report chronicles a frustrating mix of progress and backsliding as it monitors progress on key tobacco control policies at the federal and state levels | American Lung Association

In narco veritas - Bravery comes with retirement

Retired policemen, judges and presidents who support radical drug-law reform still greatly outnumber those who pipe up while still in the job. But calls for a rethink are increasingly coming from incumbents too | Economist

Severe Substance Dependence: a model for involuntary detoxification and rehabilitation

The Health and Disabilities Committee is inquiring into severe substance dependence and a model for involuntary detoxification and rehabilitation. The inquiry was referred to the committee by the Legislative Assembly on 1 December 2011. The terms of reference (below) require the committee to report to the Legislative Assembly by 12 April 2012 and submissions close on 13 February 2012 | Queensland Parliament, Australia