DS Daily - 14th January 2010

A Question of Harm

Anthrax - if we know that providing substitute prescribing can save the lives of drug users currently at risk of dying from contaminated heroin, we should do it? Surely we are doing it? Well, kind of. Its not much of a secret that waiting times for drug treatment are significantly higher in Scotland than in England [Sara McGrail, UK]

Appointment of a new interim chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Home Secretary Alan Johnson today announced the new interim chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) [Home Office, UK]

New drugs chief Les Iversen said cannabis 'safer'

A retired professor who said cannabis was one of the "safer" recreational drugs has taken over as chairman of the government's drugs advisory panel [BBC, UK]

Government’s new drug adviser Les Iversen wanted cannabis legalised

Les Iversen, a former pharmacology professor at the University of Oxford, was made interim chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. He replaces Professor David Nutt, who was sacked for criticising the Government’s decision to reclassify cannabis as a Class B substance [Times, UK]

Clubbers are 'turning to new legal high mephedrone'

The powerful legal high mephedrone is becoming much more widely used on the British club scene, a survey suggests [BBC, UK]

Spice - Mephedrone - GHB - BZP

New DrugSearch pages published on Spice, Mephedrone, GHB and BZP [DrugScope, UK]

MPs say £4.2bn plan to boost jail places is costly mistake

They advocate capping the prison population at the 84,000 level and investing resources in local education, health, drug, alcohol and community programmes that would be more effective in cutting crime [Guardian, UK]

Hepatitis B vaccination in prisons:

A much-needed targeted universal intervention [Addiction]

The number of cautions given for possession of a controlled drug

Information provided by the Ministry of Justice showing the number of cautions given for possession of a controlled drug, by class, England and Wales, 1997 to 2007 [TheyWorkForYou, UK]

Sudden Death in Cocaine Abusers: Study Reveals Role Played by Illegal Drug

Forensic pathologists have shown that over three per cent of all sudden deaths in south-west Spain are related to the use of cocaine [Science Daily]

The CHAMP Awards

The CHAMP Awards are now open for 2010. So if you know of a project which helps children and young people stay safe from the effects of alcohol misuse then please apply by the 21st April, 2010. Winner's stories [Mentor UK]

Children of Alcoholics Week 2010 14-20 February

Children of Alcoholics Week is a campaign to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by millions of children of alcohol-dependent parents in the UK [Nacoa, UK]

Bill Bailey and Jo Brand front teenage drinking ads

Comedians are fronting a new advertising campaign urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of drinking too much alcohol [BBC, UK]

Cost of cheap alcohol will double to curb binge drinking

Minimum prices for alcoholic drinks would be set by the Government under radical plans being drawn up to cut Britain’s growing binge-drinking problem [Telegraph, UK]

Labour hint at minimum alcohol price in a bid to tackle binge drinking

Health Secretary Andy Burnham hinted on Wednesday that Labour could back the introduction of minimum alcohol prices as part of a drive to tackle binge drinking [Daily Mail, UK]

Tories will label alcohol to encourage 'socially responsible' drinking

Labels on every bottle of beer, wine or spirits sold in Britain would suggest a “socially responsible” level of consumption as well as how much alcohol they contain, under Conservative plans to curb binge drinking [Times, UK]

A Healthier Nation

Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, has launched the Conservative Party’s new green paper on public health - A Healthier Nation [Conservatives, UK]

Bid to ban supermarkets from selling alcohol

Bar and nighlclub owner Gary Hunt, chief operating officer of the Yorkshire-based Brook Group, has launched a petition on the 10 Downing Street site [The Publican, UK]

Government links to US anti-drug campaig

Questions are being raised after Health Canada's new anti-drug website for youth included links to a similar campaign being run in the US [Embassy, Canada]

Doctor: Drug war waged against wrong people

As a physician who treats patients at North America's only safe injection site, Dr. Gabor Mate has no patience for warrior bureaucrats who waste billions and jail thousands trying to curb illegal drug use [Seattle PI, USA]

"Take Care" Considered Radical Advice by Big Apple Lawmakers

Elements of New York City’s political brain trust have breathlessly leapt at the opportunity to lambast a simple pamphlet that offers a few harm reduction tips to people who use drugs [IHRA]

Words used to describe substance-use patients can alter attitudes, contribute to stigma

Changing the words used to describe someone struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may significantly alter the attitudes of health care professionals, even those who specialize in addiction treatment [EurekAlert, USA]

L.A. City Council tries again today to adopt a medical marijuana ordinance

After a hiatus of almost a month, the Los Angeles City Council returns today to the controversial issue of how to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, and city leaders hope they will finally be able to vote on their long-delayed ordinance [LA Times, USA]

Marijuana advocates want changes in WA drug laws

Marijuana advocates packed a public hearing Wednesday calling for changes to Washington state's drug laws. Lawmakers are considering two bills. One would legalize marijuana for those 21 and older, and regulate it like alcohol. Another would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot for adults [The Seattle Times]