DS Daily - 7th July 2010

NRG-1 legal high advice set to be published

Guidance on drug NRG-1 is set to be published by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) later [BBC, UK]

Drug watchdog recommends ban on mephedrone substitutes

Legal highs sold on web as research plant food are 'meow meow' in disguise, says misuse of drugs advisory council [Guardian, UK]

Help Needed with Cannabis Study

The study aims to determine how cannabis use disorders are assessed an managed by different groups (psychologists, GPs and psychiatrists) - questionnaire is very brief - about 7 minutes from start to finish [SMMGP, UK]

June SMMGP Clinical Update

Papers & Reports [SMMGP, UK]

Heroin prescribing rescues previously treatment-resistant heroin addicts

Controversial and expensive it might be, but in the first British randomised trial, a continental-style heroin prescribing programme featuring on-site supervised consumption suppressed illegal heroin use much more effectively than oral methadone. Interestingly, despite previously being immune to the treatment, a fifth of the patients transferred to a more optimal oral methadone programme also did well [Drug and Alcohol Findings, UK]

Today's NTA board meeting

The major points I made were as follows: [The Alliance Forum, UK]

Hooked 35: Death penalty for drug use

While I was at the International Harm Reduction Conference in April I was lucky enough to get to talk with Patrick Gallahue and Rick Lines about IHRAs latest report into countries that use the death penalty as a punishment for drug offences. Interviewing Patrick and Rick was really interesting, and of course scary [Injecting Advice, UK]

Students and academics increasingly using 'smart drugs' to boost performance

A growing number of students and academics are using “smart drugs” bought over the internet to improve their performance in exams, a senior drug adviser has warned [Telegraph, UK]

Health Profiles

Health Profiles give a snapshot overview of health for each local authority and region in England. They are designed to help local government and health services make decisions and plans to improve local people's health and reduce health inequalities [Association of Public Health Observatories, UK]

Newsround - Living with Alcohol

Barney Harwood presents a Newsround special looking at how children's lives are affected by alcohol [BBC iPlayer, UK]

ACPO(S) Launch Drink / Drive Campaign

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) has launched the annual Summer Drink Drug Drive Campaign. All eight Scottish police forces will be out in force targeting motorists who continue to disregard the safety of others and themselves [Police Oracle, UK]

Alcohol abuse 'costing NI £700m each year'

An independent report has said excessive drinking costs the public purse in Northern Ireland almost £700m a year [BBC, UK]

Effects Of Heroin

Video [INEF, Ireland]

New therapies, drugs offer hope to meth addicts

The United States is in the middle of a new wave of methamphetamine abuse, but programs to treat speed addicts are behind the times, say Bay Area researchers who are studying new therapies - and new drugs - that they hope will help people kick the habit [SF Gate, USA]

ONDCP's Efforts to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States and is a serious public health concern [ONDCP, USA]

Advocates Say ‘Good Samaritan’ Laws Could Save Overdose Victims

But opponents say the legislation effectively grants immunity to drug dealers and users [Newsweek USA]

Central American experts look for common ground on drugs and organized crime

Recognizing the need for more coordinated efforts to combat the escalating threat posed by drug trafficking in the Americas, experts from the region recently met to discuss ways of sharing information on organized crime trends and responses [UNODC]

Strategy to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific

The regional strategy, - A strategy to halt and reverse the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific 2010-2015, is a roadmap for Member States, Civil Society and Development Agencies on how to successfully address the HIV epidemic among people who inject drugs in Asia and the Pacific [UNODC]