DS Daily - 31st May 2012

Class A drugs 'should be decriminalised,' says former drug advisor

Drugs such as LSD and MDMA should be decriminalised and sold in pharmacies, the government's former chief drug advisor has said | Independent, UK

Ecstasy and cannabis should be freely available for study, says David Nutt

Former government adviser says regulations make it too difficult to research psychoactive drugs with potential medical uses | Guardian, UK

Naloxone administration is childs play

Naloxone (also sometimes called narcan) is the life saving medication that reverses opiate overdoses. In the UK this drug is prescription only when it comes to supply, but it can be legally administered by anyone | You Tube

Joint Op Smashes Major Heroin Supply Ring

Six defendants receive more than 30 years in prison after op involving SOCA and Gloucestershire Constabulary | Police Oracle, UK

Fifty cannabis growers convicted in Sheffield’s biggest crackdown

Scores of criminals are set to be convicted at dedicated court hearings which continue today and tomorrow. Yesterday 15 drug-growers were either jailed, given suspended sentences or handed community orders | The Star, UK

Gay and bisexual men who inject drugs more likely to have HIV than other men who inject drugs

The study also showed that prevalence of infection with the hepatitis C virus was significantly higher among gay and bisexual male injecting drug users (IDUs) | Aidsmap, UK

What is the optimal level of population alcohol consumption for chronic disease prevention in England?

Modelling the impact of changes in average consumption levels | British Medical Journal

Cut alcohol intake to just a quarter pint of beer a day, experts advise

Researchers say in report that drastic reduction in guideline amounts could save 4,600 lives a year in England | Guardian, UK

David Nutt suggests alcohol sensors 'in every car'

Alcohol sensors should be in every car to cut drink-related road deaths and injuries, says the government's former chief drugs adviser | BBC, UK

Alcoholics Anonymous saved my life, but not by curing a 'disease'

A challenge to the accepted dogma that addiction as an irreversible brain disorder is long overdue | Guardian, UK

Welfare reforms see mental health teams taking on more advocacy roles

Community mental health teams are having to spend an increasing amount of time helping service users claim benefits | Guardian, UK

Overdose is main cause of self-harm

Legal tranquillisers are the most common drug in volved in intentional overdoses in Ireland | Irish Examiner

Russia to start five-year anti-drug campaign

Head of the Federal Service for Drug Control, FSDC Victor Ivanov has suggested drafting a new package of anti-drug laws in Russia | RIA Novosti, Russia

Vancouver's street homeless population doubled this year: report

Provincial cuts to shelters, planning cited as reasons why more people living on street | Vancouver Sun, Canada

Law to Reduce Drug and Alcohol Overdose Deaths in Colorado

Colorado Joins Six other States in Enacting Legislation Aimed at Curbing National Overdose Crisis | Drug Policy Alliance, USA

Regulate Drug Use, Don’t Criminalize It

The benefits of taking the global business out of the hands of criminals and allowing it to be legally regulated almost certainly outweigh the risks of moving in this direction - Ethan Nadelmann executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance | New York Times, USA

Most California voters don't support legalizing pot, poll finds

Eighty percent support doctor-recommended marijuana use for severe illness, a poll finds. But only 46% support legalization of 'general or recreational use by adults.' | LA Times, USA

Genetics can predict success of smoking cessation and need for medications

Genetics can help determine whether a person is likely to quit smoking on his or her own or need medication to improve the chances of success, according to research published in today’s American Journal of Psychiatry | NIDA, USA

Fresh jail infections to reignite needle talk

The dramatic rise in hepatitis C infections at the Alexander Maconochie Centre will breathe new life into the debate over a needle exchange program for prisoners, with the Chief Minister's blood-borne disease management plan due to be released within weeks | Canberra Times, Australia