DS Daily - 26th February 2013 |
 |
Ministry of Justice: ‘Transforming rehabilitation’ consultation – DrugScope response (PDF)
Extract: ‘…While the focus on improving resettlement for short-term prisoners is welcome, it is important that the role of community sentences as an alternative to short custodial sentences continues to be developed… If drug and alcohol services are commissioned through 16 Contract Package areas this will be one piece in a complex planning and commissioning ‘jigsaw’ .…We would welcome further work to consider the challenges of integrated commissioning with so many structural changes occurring simultaneously.’ | DrugScope, UK
Nacro’s response to the "Transforming Rehabilitation" consultation
Nacro has published its response to the government’s consultation on the future of probation services, entitled “Transforming Rehabilitation - a revolution in the way we manage offenders” | Nacro, UK
Life-saving drug not administered by two NI health trusts
Two of NI's health trusts have not distributed a potentially life-saving drug, despite it being available to them since July 2012 | BBC, UK
Did you take drugs, Dad? Just say no
Parents who discuss their own drug-use risk encouraging their children to experiment, researchers have warned | Telegraph, UK
Brighton and Hove considers anti-child drinking contracts
Contracts to be signed by parents pledging not to give their children alcohol are being considered by authorities in Brighton and Hove | BBC, UK
Heroin Warning February 2013
Release has received reports of dangerously adulterated heroin circulating in the Hackney area | Release, UK
Is it time for global alcohol consumption guidelines?
A comparison of drinking guidelines around the world shows there is little consensus between countries on what constitutes 'safe' or lower risk alcohol consumption. In this guest post, Dr Richard de Visser, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sussex explores the study conducted with Doctoral student Ms Nina Furtwængler. It was published this month in Drug and Alcohol Review | Alcohol Policy Net, UK
High-speed connection: technology and drugs in London
With internet dealing on the rise and legal highs booming, Rebecca Taylor investigates the impact of new technology on drug use in London | Timeout, UK
Generic drug makers get green light to make Reckitt's heroin substitute
Company fears loss of profits from low-cost alternative to suboxone, which became a preferred treatment for heroin addiction in America | Guardian, UK
Reckitt Benckiser faces inquiry over move to block heroin substitutes
Company's exclusive right to market cheaper Suboxone tablets in the US has expired and it expects a substantial hit to profits | Guardian, UK
Rehab: It isn't just young binge drinkers who are compromising their health - middle-aged, middle-class women are also drinking their way into rehab
The NHS spent a staggering £2.7 billion last year treating alcohol-related illnesses, and that figure is set to rise. But it isn’t just young binge drinkers who are compromising their health — middle-aged, middle-class women are also drinking their way into rehab | Daily Mail, UK
Rebecca Leighton: Staff 'took' drugs from hospital
A nurse cleared over the poisoning deaths of patients at Stepping Hill Hospital claimed staff habitually took drugs from the premises | BBC, UK
Arrests over teenager's party drugs death
Two people have been arrested following the death of a teenager understood to have taken drugs during a Saturday night party at Chobham Common | Get Surrey, UK
Why Afghanistan may never eradicate opium
Despite the best efforts of Afghanistan's drug eradication programme, the BBC has learned that farmers in several Afghan provinces, which had been deemed poppy-free, have gone back to cultivating opium poppies | BBC, UK
Transforming Youth Custody: Putting education at the heart of detention
This paper describes the Government’s plans for placing high quality education at the centre of youth custody. Plans to reform youth custody will see young people appropriately punished while at the same time learning to take responsibility for their actions and gaining the skills and qualifications they need to lead productive, law-abiding lives. The paper invites views and outline proposals from a wide range of stakeholders and providers describing how they would implement our vision for Secure Colleges | Justice.gov.uk, UK
Restorative Practices and Offending Behaviour - factsheet (PDF)
Making the case for a practice that can benefit the person harmed by an offence, the person responsible and those residing in affected communities | Youth Justice National Development Team, UK
The Irish drink problem is hidden in plain sight, and it's escalating
Drug-related crime and deaths are constantly highlighted in the media but the fact that the problems caused by alcohol abuse are much greater than those caused by illegal drugs is hidden in plain sight | Herald, Ireland
Drugnet Europe 81
In this issue: EU drug markets report highlights; new EU drug strategy endorsed; upcoming risk assessment of 5-IT; European summer school on illicit drugs; call for EU-wide ban on 4-MA; Third international forum on new drugs | EMCDDA, Portugal
New report calls for 'positive' message on alcohol use
A new report has called for a radical shake up in alcohol advertising to combat a 'rising' number of underage drinkers | Parliament, Belgium
Winding down the war on drugs: Towards a ceasefire
Experiments in legalisation are showing what a post-war approach to drug control could look like | Economist, USA
Social-impact bonds: Commerce and conscience
A new way of financing public services gains momentum | Economist, USA
Public health approach takes back seat to law enforcement as Brazil cracks down on drug use
Despite hopes that the 2006 Brazilian Drug Law would lead to a more rational drug enforcement strategy, it has led to a dramatic increase in incarceration for drug-related offenses. Now, state governments are increasing efforts to fight drug use and drug trafficking in a way that is once again blurring the lines between a public health focus and a law enforcement focus on the issue | IDPC, USA
Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa: A Threat Assessment
This report (PDF) is one of several studies conducted by UNODC on organized crime threats around the world. These studies describe what is known about the mechanics of contraband trafficking - the what, who, how, and how much of illicit flows - and discuss their potential impact on governance and development. Their primary role is diagnostic, but they also explore the implications of these findings for policy | UNODC, USA
Samhsa announces new funding announcement for rapid hepatitis c screening in drug treatment programs
Last week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) announced a new $1 million funding opportunity that supports rapid hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and referral to care in non profit opioid treatment programs (OTPs) | Aids.gov, USA
Can qigong reduce cocaine cravings in early addiction recovery?
Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs of abuse. Few effective treatments are available to help control cravings and withdrawal symptoms among individuals undergoing therapy to overcome cocaine abuse | Eurekalerts, USA
8 Percent of Men, 3 Percent of Women are Heavy Drinkers, Study Finds
A new study finds 8 percent of men and 3 percent of women are heavy drinkers, according to government guidelines. On any given day, 18 percent of men and 11 percent of women drink more alcohol than advised by federal dietary guidelines, Reuters reports | Drugfree.org, USA
What Drug Policy Reform Looks Like
President Obama believes in the pursuit of an America built to last – a Nation founded on an educated, skilled workforce with the knowledge, energy, and expertise to succeed in a highly competitive global marketplace. Yet, for too many Americans, this vision is hampered by drug use and addiction | ONDCP, USA
Comparing heterosexual & GLBT drug use
How does drug use differ between those who identify as heterosexual versus those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT)? Or does it not differ? | NDARC, Australia
Social acceptance of alcohol allows us to ignore its harms
Most of us forget that alcohol is a drug so when asked to name drug-related problems, we tend to think of illegal drugs such as cannabis or heroin. But most of us drink, and drinking is an accompaniment to a growing array of activities | Conversation, Australia
My drinking, your problem: alcohol hurts non-drinkers too
Drinking a lot of alcohol is bad for the drinker’s health, both in the short and in the long run. But drinking often affects others adversely, too | Conversation, Australia
Alcohol-fuelled violence on the rise despite falling consumption
Generally speaking, if a population drinks more, then there are more heavy drinkers and more harm from alcohol (similarly if a population drinks less, there will be less harm). But this link now appears to be unravelling | Conversation, Australia
Curb alcohol industry lure: AMA
Doctors have called on the federal government to clamp down on what the AMA claims are blatant efforts by the alcohol industry to lure young Australians into "early and potentially harmful drinking patterns" | Medical Observer, Australia
Underweb anger as Silk Road seller does a runner
The top Australian seller on underground online drug marketplace Silk Road has gone rogue and made off with tens of thousands of dollars, while several other Australian sellers appear to be missing in action | Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Nothing cheerful about cheap booze
Governments have to tighten rules governing the price, marketing and availability of alcohol if they are to curb the harm caused by dangerous drinking, a leading international expert on alcohol reform has warned | Australian Medicine, Australia
Dunne: Psychoactive Substances Bill a ‘game-changer’
The Psychoactive Substances Bill introduced to Parliament today will mean legal highs have to be proved safe before they can be sold, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has announced | Scoop, New Zealand
Psychoactive Substances Bill welcomed
The New Zealand Drug Foundation welcomes the introduction of the Psychoactive Substances Bill, New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell said today | NZ Drug Foundation, New Zealand
And finally...
Do You Think Medical Marijuana Should Be Legalized for Dogs?
Cannabis relieves pain and suffering in dogs, but most vets want nothing to do with it. What do you think? | Dogster, USA