DS Daily - 24th July 2012 |
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Walk the line
While recovery champions are being urged into the spotlight, relapse lurks in the wings. How effective is the supporting cast in helping them protect their own recovery? By Harry Shapiro. Additional reporting by Caroline Oubridge | Druglink magazine, DrugScope, UK
Responding to drug use and related problems in recreational settings
This paper summarises some of the approaches used today to prevent and reduce the health and social risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol in recreational settings. Download | EMCDDA
Fact sheet - Responding to drug use and related problems in recreational settings
New EMCDDA report reviews measures for creating safer nightlife environment for young people | EMCDDA
UK welfare reforms posing risk to drug strategy, says Scottish Government
Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, told the Scottish Parliament that the UK Government’s welfare reforms are “designed for a very different approach to the drugs problem” and that there were “outstanding issues that we cannot get to the bottom of.” | Scottish Drugs Forum, UK
National survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England published
The first dedicated survey of hepatitis C services in prisons in England shows that diagnosis and treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection is available to prisoners in most prisons in England, but that care models available vary between in-reach service and out-reach based services. Download | Department of Health, UK
How mum addicted to painkillers even considered robbing the chemist to feed her habit
Prescriptions for highly addictive painkillers have increased sixfold over the past 20 years, with family doctors handing out 1.38 billion prescriptions in 2009, compared with 228 million in 1991 | The Mirror, UK
Anabolic Steroid Use: A Potential Public Health Problem?
Professor Harrison Pope from Harvard Medical School, outlines the history of anabolic steroids,their place within Western culture & then goes on to present some of his research into the people using them. Published by ExchangeSupplies on | You Tube
NHS needs support from local authorities to tackle alcohol problems
Hospitals are too often responding and reacting to alcohol abuse, when what we really need is more investment in prevention | Guardian, UK
Number of drink and drug drivers in the West Midlands increases for second year
In the West Midlands there was an increase of 18.7% in the number of drivers who tested positive or failed the breath test procedure during this year’s summer drink and drug driving campaign by the Association of Chief Police Officers | West Midlands Police, UK
ACPO's bi-annual drink and drug driving campaign - results
Figures released by The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) show that of the 83,224 drivers during the month long campaign in June, 4,857 (5.8%) tested positive, refused or failed a breath test. Although this is slight improvement on last year when 6% of those tested failed a breath test, it is not the significant drop that police officers want to see | ACPO, UK
Imperial Tobacco threatens legal action against Government
Imperial Tobacco will take legal action against the Government if it implements plain packaging for cigarettes | Daily Mail, UK
BIG Lottery invests £100m to support people with multiple needs
People struggling under a heavy load of severe problems - homelessness, reoffending, substance misuse and mental ill-health - are being given help to improve their lives through an investment of up to £100 million from the | Big Lottery Fund, UK
Big Lottery Fund multiple needs programme
The Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition welcomes the Big Lottery Fund's commitment to supporting sustained improvement in services and outcomes for adults facing multiple needs. Building on the experience and expertise of our members working in mental health, substance misuse, homeless and the criminal justice system, MEAM has been at the forefront on this agenda, influencing and formulating practical responses nationally and locally | MEAM, UK
Trouble with troubled families research
The government’s Troubled Families report is an excellent example of policy-based evidence rather than evidence-based policy. It is full of spurious generalisations and dubious conclusions and is deeply flawed | Public Finance, UK
Experience: My child is in prison
'As a parent, it's only human nature to blame yourself. So where did I go wrong?' | Guardian, UK
Lord Stevenson: my battle with depression
A leading businessman and peer tells Channel 4 News that the way society discriminates against people with mental health problems is like the scandal of the Salem witch trials in the 17th century | Channel 4 News, UK
Rebuilding Shattered Lives Podcast
St Mungo’s oral history project, Street Stories, interviewed 15 women about their experiences of homelessness | Mungo’s, UK
£8 million invested to tackle HIV and improve sexual health
The money will go to the Terrence Higgins Trust and FPA (Family Planning Association) over three years and builds on previous work funded by the | Department of Health, UK
Cannabis addiction up but Holland has fewer heavy drinkers
The number of people considered to be addicted to cannabis tripled between 2000 and 2010, according to addiction institute Trimbos | Dutch News, Netherlands
Twin Epidemics AIDS 2012 Pre-Conference
A day-long satellite meeting on the “Twin Epidemics of HIV and Drug Use”. It was an intriguing mix of solo speakers and panel presentations | Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
‘You can’t end AIDS unless you end the war on drugs,’ B.C. doctors tell Obama, Romney
Two prominent Canadian doctors have joined an international campaign calling on world leaders to stop the spread of AIDS by ending the so called war on drugs | National Post, Canada
What to Know About Opioid Analgesic Overdose
An excellent review article by Edward W. Boyer, MD, PhD, in the New England Journal of Medicine discusses the management of life-threatening overdose from opioid analgesics | Pain-Topics, USA
4 Major Ways Countries Have Reduced Drug-Related Disease and Death
Over the past two decades, a number of countries have implemented evidence-based programs that reduce the harms associated with drugs - but the U.S. isn't listening | AlterNet, USA
Lawyer pleads for jail syringe scheme
A Gold Coast lawyer is calling on the Queensland Government to introduce a controlled needle and syringe program in the state's jails | ABC News, Australia
Addicts link anti-depression drug to gambling habit
Problem gamblers - including one who stole $800,000 to feed her pokies habit - say the anti-depressant drug Efexor may have a connection to their habit | Radio Australia
Next steps in tobacco control
From July 23 retailers will have to ensure that tobacco products are not visible to the public, either from the inside or the outside of a premise. A fine of up to $10,000 exists for breaching the new law. Guidelines | Ministry for Health, New Zealand