Weekly news - 18th January 2013 |
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All-Party Group launches Report of Inquiry into New Psychoactive Substances ('Legal Highs')
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform launches the Report of its Inquiry into New Psychoactive Substances ('legal highs') - Towards a Safer Drug Policy: Challenges and Opportunites arising from 'Legal Highs' (PDF) | APPG on Drug Policy Reform, UK
Decriminalise drugs, inquiry by cross-party peers says
The possession and use of all illegal drugs should be decriminalised, a report by peers has said | BBC, UK
High-risk drug practices tighten grip on London gay scene
Use of crystal methamphetamine is on the rise in London’s gay scene, putting men who have sex with men at higher risk of infections. Tony Kirby and Michelle Thornber-Dunwell report | Lancet, UK
Does marijuana use cause schizophrenia?
Two articles published today in F1000 Medicine Reports take a collaborative approach to argue the case for and against the link between cannabis use and psychotic illness | Machines Like Us, USA
In depth: Drugs of dependence - The Role of Medical Professionals
The BMA believes the policy debate on illegal drugs has overlooked the medical perspective for too long and has published a report | BMA, UK
The Recovery Festival – 12 & 13 March 2013: Engaging employers and supporting recovery
The Recovery Festival aims to bridges between the business and recovery communities; to engage, inform and seek ways to work together. The Recovery Festival will create an environment in which employers can: challenge assumptions they may have about addiction; experience the talent and ambition of those in recovery; and understand how they can help unlock talent and ambition for mutual benefit. Details online about how to be involved | Recovery Group, UK
DrugScope joins forces with St Mungo's on campaign for women
Leading charities DrugScope and St Mungo's are working together to get the right help at the right time for women who are homeless and facing drug or alcohol problems | St Mungo's, UK
Drink and Drugs News
January issue out now | DDN, UK
Home Office to consider drug khat ban
The government will decide next week whether to outlaw the drug Khat which is popular with London's Somali community | BBC, UK
RCGP warns GPs over painkiller addiction
GPs should refrain from long-term prescribing of drugs with a risk of addiction,
including strong painkillers, to avoid the 'devastating' impact on patients and their
families, according to medical royal colleges | GP Online, UK
Medical bodies unite to combat addiction to medicines
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) publish a signed consensus statement aimed at reducing patient addiction to medicines such as tranquilisers and painkillers | RCGP, UK
Alcohol treatment system is performing well but more work is needed to achieve further improvements
The system for treating problem alcohol use amongst adults in England is working well for many people, statistics released today (17 January) by the NTA have shown | NTA, UK
Turning evidence into practice: Helping clients to access and engage with mutual aid
The first in a series of briefings (PDF) to support commissioners and providers who want to improve the recovery orientation of their services | NTA, UK