DS Daily - 23rd February 2010

One New Case, One Further Death in Ongoing Anthrax Outbreak

A further case of anthrax has been confirmed in a heroin user in Scotland, bringing the total number of cases in Scotland to 24 [Health Protection Scotland, UK]

10th anthrax death in Scotland - outbreak spreads to Dumfries and Galloway

Early treatment can save lives and heroin users are being told to seek urgent medical treatment if they are showing signs or symptoms on infection [Scottish Drugs Forum, UK]

Back-Prof-Nutt - epetition response

The Government’s response [Number 10, UK]

New era beckons at St George's Crypt

The majority of clients we see have alcohol or drug dependency issues, some have mental health problems. Website [Guardian, UK]

Concern at proposal to move drug clinic to Caernarfon

A plan to move a clinic for drug and alcohol addicts from Anglesey to Caernarfon is being opposed by some residents [BBC, UK]

Heroin victim Hannah

A teenager who wrote a moving letter to the drug that killed her has inspired a new foundation to combat the growing dangers of heroin addiction in West Wales. [Wales Online, UK]

UK Border Agency now a major anti-crime force

In 2009 the UK Border Agency’s specialist immigration crime teams, working with 300 seconded police officers, prosecuted more than 2,200 people for organised immigration crimes, including human trafficking, fraud and drug smuggling [Home Office, UK]

Huge rise in prescriptions for strongest painkillers

As new prescribing guidelines are launched, we reveal a huge rise in the use of opioids such as codeine and diamorphine [Telegraph, UK]

Diageo steers drinkers towards supermarkets instead of the pub

As the downturn has accelerated the trend for drinking at home, the company is strengthening its relationships with the UK's biggest retailers to try and increase its share of a market where growth is sluggish [Telegraph, UK]

Methadone protocol needs to be addressed, inquest told

There is no protocol governing the administration of methadone to people in custody in Garda stations, an inquest into the death of Dwayne Foster heard yesterday [Irish Times]

First free heroin clinic opens in Denmark

After years of contention, Denmark on Monday opened its first clinic equipped to distribute free heroin under medical supervision to people heavily addicted to the drug [AFP]

Labour publishes draft Bill on head shops

Under the terms of their draft Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2010, planning permission would be required for a change of use of a premises to open a head shop [Irish Times]

Major New Research Findings Support ESA’S Defence of Alcohol Sponsorship

A major new investigation into the effects of sporting involvement and alcohol sponsorship on underage drinking has concluded that a ban on sponsorship of sporting events would have little effect on youth alcohol consumption [European Sponsorship Association]

Penn professor works to transform drug-control policy

We've got to put scientific information into policies that make sense and will deliver for Americans," said McLellan, who left Philadelphia six months ago to become the nation's No. 2 drug-policy official [philly.com, USA]

Spice Wars

There's a new substance on drug prohibitionists' hit list. Spice, also known as K2, is an herbal incense blend sprayed with a synthetic compound that chemically mimics THC [DPA, USA]

New 'STOP DRINKING 411' Campaign Promotes Alcohol Recovery and Prevention Via Web Social Media

National Institute For Alcohol Recovery (NIFAR®) is launching a global recovery and prevention campaign called STOP DRINKING 411 to combat prevalent alcohol abuse [PR Newswire, USA]

Army Alcoholics: More Soldiers Hitting the Bottle

Army Seeking More Counselors After 56 Percent Increase in Soldiers Getting Treatment [abc News, USA]

More alcohol sales sites mean more neighborhood violence

More alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood equate to more violence, and the highest assault rates are associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption, according to new research released Sunday (Feb. 21) by two professors at the [Indiana University, USA]