DS Daily - 16th June 2010

Vetting and Barring Scheme registration halted

Registration with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) will be halted to allow the government to remodel the scheme back to proportionate, common sense levels [Home Office, UK]

Realising Potential: An Action Plan for Allied Health Professionals in Mental Health

This three-year action plan provides a blueprint for maximising the AHP contribution to supporting people with mental health problems of all ages, both within mental health services and in mainstream settings [Scottish Government, UK]

Lower drink-drive limit proposed

A review of the drink-drive limit being published later is expected to recommend that it be nearly halved [BBC, UK]

Alcohol use of diabetes patients: the need for assessment and intervention

Assessment and treatment of at-risk drinking could be readily incorporated into routine diabetes care. Strategies for brief assessment of and intervention for at-risk drinking are offered (Acta Diabetologica)

Harry Phibbs: I'd like fewer smokers

But not at the cost of living in a society which has sacrificed truth and freedom [Daily Mail, UK]

Obama Administration Welcomes Mayors' Support for Drug Control Strategy

The United States Conference of Mayors has adopted a resolution supporting the Obama Administration's first National Drug Control Strategy, which the mayors said "reflects a new approach to drug policy, adopting a science-based approach to prevention and treatment, innovations in law enforcement, and the wise use of criminal justice resources [ONDCP, USA]

Medicinal Marijuana

A Patient-Driven Phenomenon [NPR]

Let’s call it Califloracation. Or supplier-side economics

Groaning under the crushing weight of a multi-billion dollar deficit, California is dreaming up novel ways of paying its bills ... a bright idea: What about drugs! [ABC News, Australia]

Drug abuse admissions up among people 50 and over

The proportion of people admitted to treatment for drug abuse who are age 50 or older nearly doubled from 1992 to 2008, a new government study says [Mercury News, USA]

Despite Killing, Mexican Backs Drug Policy

Faced with a surge in drug-related killings in recent days, President Felipe Calderón on Monday offered a spirited defense of his government’s antidrug offensive [New York Times, USA]

Mexico's deadly drug violence claims hundreds of lives in past 5 days

An explosion of drug violence in Mexico has killed hundreds of people in the past five days and prompted the country's president to issue a 5,000-word manifesto warning that the fight against organized crime must continue "or we will always live in fear." [Washington Post, USA]