DS Daily - 27th November 2012

Work Programme survey

DrugScope wants to find out about the experience of clients on the Department for Work and Pensions' Work Programme. Please complete our survey | DrugScope, UK

Reduced reoffending - building on success

Tim Hollis, Chief Constable of Humberside Police and ACPO Drug Committee Chair & Vice President and NTA Chief Executive, Paul Hayes argue that research on the link between acquisitive crime and drugs is unequivocal... | Police Professional Magazine, UK

Medical support not jail sentences for women with mental illness or addictions, says poll

Crime rates among women suffering from poor mental health or substance misuse would be cut by offering medical support rather than handing out jail sentences, a poll suggests | London Evening Standard, UK

Should we introduce minimum pricing of alcohol to limit sales of cheap booze and curb anti-social behaviour?

On Wednesday, the Coalition will publish its consultation on alcohol | Independent, UK

Alcohol at 40p, 45p or 50p a unit to be Cameron choices for minimum price

Widespread public opposition to curbing cheap booze sales by penalising moderate drinkers | Guardian, UK

Adfam Policy Briefing (PDF)

Activities for the fortnight 12 – 23 November 2012 | Adfam, UK

PROMETA drug protocol does not help treat methamphetamine dependence

The US company which owns/ markets the controversial PROMETA for methamphetamine dependence funded a rigorous trial by independent researchers; the result was a no-better-than-placebo verdict, another negative in the search for drugs to counter stimulant dependence | Findings, UK

Six reasons why the DWP’s Payment by Results model constrains innovation

The jury is still out whether the Work Programme is actually working and the Department for Work and Pensions is pushing the sector to deliver a step change in performance so that the policy is proven to be successful | NCVO, UK

Beveridge report: From 'deserving poor' to 'scroungers'?

William Beveridge paved the way for the welfare state 70 years ago. But do people now think more in terms of "scroungers" than the "deserving"? | BBC, UK

Pakistan 'toxic syrup' kills 16 in Lahore

At least 16 people have died in the Pakistani city of Lahore after drinking what police say was toxic cough syrup. Police say they were mostly drug addicts... | BBC, UK

Britons arrested with heroin hidden in bread sticks

Two British truck drivers were arrested in southern Italy on Monday after police found more than 40kg of heroin worth 20 million euros hidden in a consignment of bread sticks | Telegraph, UK

Breaking the Taboo, trailer: Bill Clinton and Morgan Freeman back anti-war on drugs documentary

See the trailer for Breaking the Taboo, a documentary suggesting the war on drugs has failed, featuring Bill Clinton and a voice-over from Morgan Freeman | Telegraph, UK

Health at a Glance Europe 2012 (PDF)

Includes information on drugs, alcohol and tobacco in the Determinants of health section | OECD, France